Intern - Disaster Risk Reduction

Job Opening Number: 18-Environmental Affairs-UNEP-101969-J-Geneva (O)

Organization Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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.

UN Environment's Policy and Programme Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

As part of the Ecosystems Division, the Crisis Management Branch extends LIN Environment's work to areas of the world where the natural and human environment have been damaged from conflicts or disasters. Specialized environmental expertise is provided to rapidly identify risks to health, livelihoods and ecosystem services and to integrate environmental needs within the recovery process.

The Crisis Management Branch promotes sustainable management of natural resources in conflict and disaster affected countries. The branch's work demonstrates to decision makers the importance of natural resources management as a precondition for sustainable development and as an instrument for peace building and disaster risk reduction. Since 1999, the team has conducted field operations in over 40 countries and works in close cooperation with the humanitarian, develoopment and peacebuiding frameworks of the UN system. More information can be found at www.unep.org/disastersandconflicts.

Communications are a key strategic priority for UN Environment as part of the rganization's mandate to advocate for the environment. This is achieved through a wide range of communications activities at national and global level, including an active social media presence. The Crisis Management Branch is working directly with teams in many countries around the world, as well as at a global level on communications related to its work.

In addition, since 2008, UN Environment has supported a unique partnership of 24 organisations known as the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR), which promotes and advocates for ecosystem-based solutions for disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) as well as adaptation to climate changerelated risks. PEDRR is the primary platform through which UN Environment collaborates and leverages its influence on Eco-DRR. UN Environment's Eco-DRR portfolio has five components: global advocacy, capacity building and training, field implementation, development of knowledge products and partnerships. UN Environment hosts the Secretariat of PEDRR which disseminates a weekly newsletter and manages PEDRR's social media and public outreach.

This internship position is for a person who will support UN Environment's communications and outreach activities for the Crisis Management Branch, Disaster Risk Reduction and/or support the PEDRR Secretariat and its other partnerships and networks.

The Disaster Risk Reduction internship is for 3 - 6 months. 

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.

Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background; the intern's assigned office as well as the internship period.

Under the Supervision of Project Coordinator, the intern will:

Support day-to-day management and operations of the PEDRR Secretariat, including:

• Update and maintain all the documentation regarding the partnership into consolidated physical and electronic filing systems for real-time monitoring;
• Maintain the Friends of PEDRR Network database as well as PEDRR Trained Trainers and Participants' database;
• Support development and implementation of PEDRR's communication strategy, especially through the use of social media;
• Develop PEDRR newsletter updates on Eco-DRR related issues on a weekly basis for wide distribution; and maintain the google news group on PEDRR; in the facebook on PEDR establish a subscriber base and create a regular stream of technically interesting update to share information and increase traffic;
• Maintain other types of social media links, such as Linkedln, youtube and twitter, establish subscriber base and create a regular stream of technically interesting update to share information and increase traffic;
• Support further development and maintenance of the PEDRR website;
• Support upcoming PEDRR advocacy events, with respect to logistics, communications, planning and organizing

Support the work on Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction:

• Research and draft Country profiles which include background information on environmental conditions and disaster contexts in project countries where the Crisis Management Branch works;
• Support the updating of training and Master's course materials, including case study write ups;
• Support in organizing global events, such as side events at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and special PEDRR events in Geneva;
• Support with the creation of communications products, such as presentations, flyers; 
• Where relevant, undertake short English to French/Spanish translation tasks to broaden reach of communications products.
• Support with drafting other communications, such as letters, policy briefs, speaking notes.

Support UN Environment's other Disaster Risk Reduction related activities, including:

• Updating of UN Environment DRR website/web pages, as requested;
• Undertaking literature reviews and research on specific DRR topics, as agreed between selected candidate and UN Environment;
• Any other tasks, as required.

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 a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

• 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:

• Master's Degree (but within 1 year of graduation) or currently enrolled in a Master's Programme
• Background in communications, environmental sciences, environmental policy, disaster management, climate change studies, informational graphics, graphic design, environment-related advocacy, or other related fields.
• Strong interest and familiarity with social media and online communications
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly in English is required
• Experience in web content management systems and desk-top publishing would be an asset

Work Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French and Spanish is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Your application for this internship must include:

1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In your Personal History Profile (PHP), be sure to include all past work experiences, IT Skills, and three references. 

2.Proof of enrollment (click on link to access and attach to your application: http://unon.org/content/internship-programme) 
- List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in using, and Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship and what you hope to gain from the internship. 
3. A certified copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated). 

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

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

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.