Intern - Environment Affairs

Job Opening Number: 18-Environmental Affairs-UNEP-92044-J-Panama City (O)

Org. 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 has "Disasters and Conflicts" subprogramme since 1999. UN Environment has responded to environmental disasters and the environmental dimensions of conflicts in numerous countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, South Sudan, Sierra Leone and DR Congo. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the subprogramme UN Environment has implemented related projects and activities in Guatemala, Paraguay, Ecuador and Peru and has an extended operational presence in Haiti. 

UN Environment's "Disasters and Conflicts" subprogramme has three streams of work:

• Risk reduction - including ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction; chemical and industrial accident risk reduction; climate-induced security risk; natural resource management in fragile and conflict-affected states; environment and displacement;
• Emergency response - environmental emergency preparedness and response; post-crisis environmental assessments; environmental impact of humanitarian operations;
• Long-term recovery - environmental cooperation for peacebuilding; long-term country recovery programmes. 

UN Environment is undergoing a process of strengthening its regional presence. To this end, regional coordinators for most subprogrammes have been placed in regional offices, including for the "Disasters and Conflicts" subprogramme in Latin America and the Caribbean (based in Panama City). This also implies a process of strengthening the quality and scope of the subprogramme, to increase UN Environment's visibility with regional member states and intergovernmental organisations as the leader on environmental issues related to disaster risk management and conflict. 

The UN Environment/Latin America and the Caribbean Office/ Disasters and Conflicts Subprogramme internship is for 6 months. 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

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

The intern will work with UNEP-Latin America and the Caribbean Office’s, under the supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Regional Disasters and Conflicts Subprogramme Coordinator and the activities to be carried out within the framework of this internship are:

• Support the development of the monthly Disasters and Conflicts bulletin, taking the lead on bulletin development and circulation in the absence of the Regional Disasters and Conflicts Subprogramme Coordinator;
• Following completion of online training, conduct remote "FEAT" impact assessments for key countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. In case of rapid-onset emergency, conduct or immediately update FEAT impact tables for the affected country or area;
• If skilled in the use of GIS programmes (ArcGIS), develop FEAT scenario maps based on FEAT impact tables developed - potentially also other scenario maps such as plume maps using Cameo, Marplot or Aloha;
• In the event of a rapid-onset emergency or in the absence of the Regional Disasters and Conflicts Subprogramme Coordinator, act as information officer for the environmental dimensions of the emergency, analysing reports and information coming out of the affected area and interpreting them with an "environmental lens" to identify possible environmental issues or potential situations of pollution or environmental risk, keeping the relevant parts of UNEP informed accordingly;
• Conduct secondary data research to support the development of concept notes, proposals, policy briefs or activities;
• Research sources of open source data for indicator development to strengthen the Environmental Emergency Risk Index in the region;
• Conduct secondary research on ongoing emergency responses in the region to identify the environmental dimensions of the emergency and potential environmental "footprint" of the international response;
• Support the preparation of communications pieces, technical briefing notes, news pieces, draft reports and publications as necessary;
• Support the start-up phase of any projects if required;
• May assist in the organisation of meetings, trainings and workshops;
• Support other activities as requested.

Competencies

Core 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:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
• 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.

The candidate should have strong analytical skills, and sound knowledge of Disaster Management, Humanitarian Affairs or Environmental Management, social sciences or a related area.

Work Experience

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

Languages

Excellent writing and communication skills in English and Spanish are required. Working knowledge of other UN official languages 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)
3. 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.
4. 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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 

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 At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.