Current Vacancies at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The intern is expected to:

• Assist in performing the Law Division’s roles and functions, as part of the secretariat to UNEP’s governing bodies.
• Assist with the preparation of documents, background notes, legal opinions pertaining to procedural questions.
• Support in conducting in-depth research on questions of substantive and procedural law, prepare written summaries and/or make oral presentations of his/her research, including briefing notes and reports.
• Assist in the organization and support of training events and other meetings and workshops that are organized by the Branch or the Director’s Office, or in which the Branch or the Director’s Office, is involved through, e.g., preparing the agenda, liaising with participants, assisting with the virtual set up where needed, compiling materials, making presentations and taking notes.
• Assist in the finalization of key publications on the legal framework of UNEP and communication material, promoting the Law Division’s work, including through research, drafting and editing.
• Support in such other tasks, as may be assigned by the Principal Legal Officer, Head of Units and Legal Officers.

Qualifications/special skills

• Applicants must currently be enrolled or recently graduated from a programme in law, with a focus on public international law, the law of international organizations, or related areas. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience.
• However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be students or have completed a university degree in law (Bachelor’s, Master of Law or PhD).
• Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.

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The Intern will support the implementation of the programmatic activities of the SSPU and will be responsible for the following duties:

• Support implementation of SSPU activities with a focus on sustainable nutrients management and physical alteration and destruction of habitats (PADH).
• Assist in organizing and preparing workshops, meetings, and events, including logistics, background materials, and reporting.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products and multimedia content (e.g. briefs, infographics, videos) to inform evidence-based dialogue on deep-sea minerals.
• Conduct desk research on emerging topics related to PADH (sand extraction, deep-sea minerals, noise pollution), including sustainable extraction practices, regulatory frameworks, and pollution prevention efforts.
• Identify and map key stakeholders and partners relevant to PADH and support engagement activities, including consultations and dialogues.
• Support resource mobilization by identifying funding opportunities, compiling donor intelligence, and contributing to concept notes and proposals.
• Assist in monitoring and reporting of results, including data collection, drafting inputs for reports, and tracking progress against indicators.
• Contribute to internal coordination across UNEP Divisions and regional offices, including preparation of briefs and meeting summaries.
• Support communication and outreach efforts, including drafting content for newsletters, social media, and web updates (incl. the webpage of the UNEP Working Group on Nitrogen), and assisting with campaign and event planning (incl. related to the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly).
• Participate in relevant meetings and workshops, support preparation of presentations, and assist with note taking and follow-up actions.
• Provide general support to the SSPU team and its partnerships as needed.

Qualifications/special skills

• Are enrolled in a master's or in a Ph.D. programme; or
• Are enrolled in the final year of a bachelor's programme; or Are within one year after graduation from a Bachelor's, master's or Ph.D. programme. in the field of communications, public relations, languages, Information Technology, Graphic Design, or equivalent.
• Demonstrate pleasant interpersonal skills.
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, including a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• Have a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and has a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.

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Specific tasks and responsibilities

• The CTA will undertake the following duties, in close collaboration with the Project Manager and members of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the National Project Director.
• Technical Advisory Responsibilities and tasks:
• Provide overall technical and operational guidance and support to the Project Manager and Project Steering Committee to ensure that project objectives are being met and that activities are carried out with high technical standards.
• Provide advice on best suitable ecosystem-based adaptation approaches and methodologies for the timely achievement of project targets and objectives.
•  Provide quality assurance and technical review of project outputs such as inception reports, studies, assessments, training materials, and knowledge products.
• Provide advice and assist in putting in place activities on gender, knowledge management, communications and awareness-raising, and document lessons from project implementation.
• Assist the PM in planning the implementation of project activities, and in adjusting the project Results Framework, Work Plan and Budget as required and in line with corporate requirements.
• Draft or review, as requested, terms of reference (ToRs) for technical consultancies and sub-contracts, and assist in the selection and recruitment process.
• Undertake technical reviews and provide quality assurance of project outputs (e.g. technical reports, studies and assessments) and field activities.
• Provide guidance and technical inputs to the work carried out by national and international consultants, project implementing partners, and contractors. i) Assist in monitoring the technical quality of project M&E systems (including AWPs, indicators and targets, and against the GEF Climate Change Strategy Indicators) 

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: sustainable development, international development, environmental sciences, development studies or a related field is required or A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, of which at least four are related to implementation of climate change adaptation projects, preferably applying ecosystem-based adaptation approaches in Zambia or in southern Africa countries and Knowledge of local languages spoken in Central and/or northern Zambia. Demonstrated work experience in institutional strengthening and capacity-building;
• Demonstrated work experience of leading, and coordinating a large, multidisciplinary team of experts and consultants; Previous work experience in the management and coordination of bilateral, multilateral or GEF/LDCF/SCCF/AF funded projects;
• Previous work experience in project planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation, and familiarity with gender mainstreaming and adherence to GEF environmental and social safeguards;