Work Location

Montreal

Expected duration

Three months

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational setting The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for 'sustainable development'. One of the key agreements adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention establishes three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by UNEP. This internship is located at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer on Technical and Scientific Cooperation, and in collaboration with the Programme Assistants of the Capacity-Building and Knowledge Management unit, Implementation Support Division. The Programme Support - Technical and Scientific Cooperation internship has a start date of February 2024 for a duration of three (3) months with a possibility of an extension depending on the needs of the Organization. The Internship is for a maximum duration of 6 months and UNPAID. Interns work five days per week (35-40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Duties and Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer on Technical and Scientific Cooperation, and in collaboration with the Programme Assistants of the Capacity-Building and Knowledge Management unit, the intern will: 1. Provide programme support to the Bio-Bridge Initiative. Duties include supporting the 5th call for proposals; reviewing and assessing project proposals; assisting in the preparation of documentation for the external Project Review Panel; supporting the development of communication materials for the web and social media to disseminate results of the previous cohort of projects; supporting the creation of a LinkedIn group for BBI alumni and others with an interest in BBI. 2. Assist in tasks related to the operationalization of the technical and scientific support mechanism. Duties include supporting the preparation of documents for the 4th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 4); servicing meetings of the Informal Advisory Group; supporting the drafting of agreements and workplans for the selected regional/sub-regional technical and scientific support centres. 3. Provide support for the preparation of the innovation and technology expo at COP 16. Support the identification and selection of exhibitors for the expo and assist in the development of a programme of events for COP 16.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants to the United Nations internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: (a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or, (b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor 's level or equivalent). (c) Have graduated with a university degree. 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: Undergraduate or graduate degree in international affairs, environmental studies, sustainable development, communications, or related field. 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. 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 a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. 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.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language 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.

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

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.