Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

UNEP’s Regional Office for Europe (Europe Office) – based in Geneva – promotes intergovernmental policy dialogue and regional cooperation, increases national capacity for environmental management and response emergencies, raises awareness and enhances information exchange, and translates global policies into regional action.
Within the Europe Office, UNEP’s Brussels Office aims at establishing regular and strategic relations with the European Union (EU) institutions (in particular the European Commission, European External Action Service, European Parliament, Council of the EU, Economic and Social Committee, European Investment Bank), and supports related partnership building efforts, through intelligence gathering, information exchanges, networking, as well as monitoring of policies and funding opportunities from the EU. The office also facilitates UNEP’s staff contacts with the EU, represents UNEP at meetings/conferences and supports the dialogue between UNEP and the EU both at policy and programmatic levels.
The role of outreach & information in the Brussels Office is closely linked to policy dialogue with the EU as well as programmatic partnerships. In practice, what this means is exploring opportunities for partnership with EU institutions and EU stakeholders, ensuring a good flow of information and discussion in the spirit of partnership with the EU institutions, other UN entities & key partners, and providing visibility for these workstreams and the work of UNEP.
The intern selected will gain pragmatic and professional experience of working at UNEP as well as engaging with various EU institutions and stakeholders and, to a lesser extent, with the general public. S/he will also gain an introduction to the broad range of UN & UNEP activities worldwide.

The UNEP Brussels internship is for six (6) months, with starting date 1 April 2022.

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.

Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Communications/Information Focal point of the UN Environment Brussels Office, the intern will work to:
a) EU outreach
– Support the implementation of outreach strategies in order to raise UNEP’s profile in the development and environment fields, including by helping ensure UNEP participation in relevant flagship events in Brussels like EU Green Week and the European Development Days (see 3.)
– Contribute to the identification of areas of common interest between the EU institutions & UNEP
b) Monitoring EU developments
– Collect and monitor EU news and information on political developments, important decisions etc, for weekly internal briefs
– Attend and report on conferences and meetings relevant to UN Environment’s mandate
c) Outreach events
– Support the organization of public events, including with logistics
– Support external communication efforts by the Brussels Office for UNEP (high-level) visiting officials, including by helping set up media interviews
– Support the organization of the launch of UNEP reports in Brussels
– Support the organization of information stands at public events (including development of interactive activities in the stand)
d) Information management
– Update and develop UNEP’s online tools for information exchange with the EU (website and quarterly e-newsletter)
– Assist in keeping a good flow of internal information (UNEP Intranet, internal reporting)
– Assist in managing the social media tools used by the office (Twitter and Facebook) and promote UNEP public information campaigns
e) Other ad-hoc duties
– Contribute with other UN entities on collaborative events such as World Environment Day and UN Day
– Help prepare background briefing notes on various issues as requested
– Assist in the design and production of information material for the various outreach events

Competencies

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
c. Have graduated with Bachelor’s degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent
Be computer literate in standard software applications.

Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter;

Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Preferred area of study:
Communication/journalism, international relations/European studies or other relevant studies

Work Experience

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and knowledge of French is an advantage.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

Your application for this internship must include:
1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:

– Title of the degree you are currently pursuing
– Graduation Date
– IT skills and programmes you are proficient in
– Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship

Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, ensure to include all past work experience (if any).

2. Proof of enrollment from current University (if not graduated).

3. A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).

Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

“In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern.”

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.