Internships and volunteers: UNESCO, Climate change adaptation

The UNESCO Office for the Pacific States based in Apia, Samoa is seeking qualified applicants interested in undertaking preferably a six month internship / volunteer program. Intern/volunteer projects will be negotiated between individuals and UNESCO to ensure a balance of benefits to both parties.

Climate Change, Education and Community Level Adaptation

A new project entitled “Community understandings of climate change and down scaling the science of climate change to community-level adaptation” - an intersectoral activity of the Apia Field Office is about to be launched. The key project objective is to have an improved understanding of how Pacific people perceive and relate to the concept of climate change and how this can be utilized through effective educational and awareness that leads to behavioural change. Applicants with a background in climate change adaptation or experience in the area of education would be preferred. Knowledge of the impacts of climate change in the Pacific would be an asset.

Interns can expect:

• To gain work experience in an international development agency
• To have opportunities to work with government and / or civil society in a developing country
• To be supervised and mentored by UNESCO staff
• To complete a project which can be used later in a portfolio or published

UNESCO provides:

• Supervision and advice on work tasks
• Office space including computer and internet connectivity
• Assistance in locating suitable accommodation

Internships may be undertaken in two ways: through UNESCO’s global internship program open to enrolled post-graduate students, or through direct application to the Apia Field Office for volunteer interns not affiliated with a program of further study.

Please note that under both programs interns must fully cover their own costs, including appropriate health insurance. Applicants with support from a university of national institution are welcome.

UNESCO encourages applications from suitably qualified Pacific Islanders.

Criteria

The qualifications which will be considered in the application process include, but are not limited to, the following. The ideal candidate:

• Is currently pursuing or has recently completed postgraduate studies (Bachelor’s or Master’s) (Applicable to global internship programme only), preferably in a field related to the UNESCO priority areas as set forth in its Strategic Plan
• Good command of written and spoken English
• Has excellent research, writing and analytical skills
• Can establish and maintain effective working relations with people from diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrates resourcefulness and creativity in problem-solving
• Has excellent computer skills: sound, hands-on, knowledge of standard office software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.)
• Has a demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and more specifically, in the work of the UNESCO.