Current Vacancies at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities
The intern(s) will support the Biodiversity, Landscapes and People Unit for outreach and awareness raising for the Global Peatlands Initiative under the direct supervision of the responsible programme officer, the intern(s) will:

• Draft content for and update the GPI and UNEP-peatlands(tab) website(s), online dgroups GPI community of practice and social media outreach channels;
• Draft news articles or blogs on subjects relevant to peatlands restoration, conservation and sustainable management, such as ecosystem services, trans-boundary collaboration,conservation and carbon finance, biodiversity and climate change;
• Assist in the preparation of GPI events, workshops or south south exchanges;
• Assist in the development of awareness raising, outreach or advocacy materials including speech-writing, presentations, and/or videos;
• Assist with research on peatlands best practices in conservation, sustainable management and restoration or relevant topics to inform policy making;
• Assist with preparations for the GPI Steering Committee meetings, and various virtual or face to face meetings of the partnership and attend if held in Nairobi;
• Assist with organizing ad hoc meetings, workshops or teleconferences and prepare meeting agendas, summaries, minutes and follow up communications as required;
• Provide regular communication liaison within the GPI Partnership and with members of the public as required;
• Undertake other tasks as required, and in accordance with the intern's interests and experience.

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

• Master's Degree (but within 1 year of graduation) or currently enrolled in a Master's Programme;
• Background in environmental sciences, environmental policy, biodiversity and conservation, development studies, or related field;
• Demonstrated interest in issues related to ecosystems management, restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate change, or sustainable development and knowledge is required.
• Knowledge of peatlands or wetland ecosystem functioning is desirable.
• 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.

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 & French are working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in French and/or Spanish is desirable.
• NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four areas

Closing Date: 24th October, 2023

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Responsibilities

• Works with Scientific Assessments Branch and partners to facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of global and thematic assessments, including:
• Monitors and analyzes specific aspects of programme/project development and the implementation of global and thematic assessments coordinated in the Branch. reviews relevant scientific, technical, and operational documents and reports.
• identifies problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions;
• Carries out basic research on selected aspects of global and thematic assessments, operations, and other activities, to include collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources.

Provides substantive support for global and thematic assessment and related policy coordination and evaluation functions, including:

• Review and analysis of emerging global and thematic issues and trends, participation in evaluations or research activities and studies related to scientific reports.
• Supports in performing consulting assignments as related to the assessments coordinated in the Branch, in collaboration with the key clients, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the team will use to manage the change.
• Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g., draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, related to the assessments coordinated in the Branch
• Provides administrative and substantive support to the global and thematic assessments consultative processes and other meetings, conferences, outreach activities, to include:
• Participation in the organization and delivery of training workshops, seminars, participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Support the organization and coordination of international events, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection.
• Coordinates activities related to the global and thematic assessments budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget.), and performs other duties as required.
• Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• 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.

Education

• Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in any area of environmental sciences, or a related field. A first level university degree combined with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management, administration or related area is required.
• Experience in the design and coordination of environmental scientific assessments, preferably at the international level, is desirable.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable (none if successful YPP or P-1 with a related degree).

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.