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. The Latin America and the Caribbean Office located in Panama City works closely with the 33 countries of the region – including 16 small island developing States, with a population of about 588 million people. The office works to serve the needs of the region and its activities are integrated into the work programs approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly of UN Environment (UNEA).
The UN Environment/Latin America and the Caribbean Office/ Chemicals & Waste Unit promotes the transition of countries to the sound management of chemicals and waste in order to minimize impact on the environment and human health. UN Environment provides information and support initiatives to improve the management of chemicals and wastes and facilitates implementation in the region of the various international agreements in force or under negotiation, including the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The Latin America and the Caribbean Office is currently implementing a range of projects within the UN Environment Programme of Work, Subprogramme on Chemicals, Waste and Air Quality.
Also, the XX Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment for Latin America and the Caribbean (Cartagena, Colombia, March 2016) called upon UN Environment to additionally support the implementation of chemicals and waste MEAs, and the sound management of chemicals and waste. For this purpose, the Forum established the Intergovernmental Network on Chemicals and Waste for Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to strengthen the environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste, reinforcing sub-regional and regional cooperation and facilitating the exchange of experiences. The UN Environment Latin America and the Caribbean Office provides secretariat support to the Network, including support to the Steering Committee, and to the implementation of the Regional Action Plan on chemicals and waste 2019-2020 (adopted by the XXI Forum of Ministers of Environment, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 9-12 October 2018).
The UN Environment/Latin America and the Caribbean Office/ Chemicals & Waste Unit internship is for six (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 UN Environment-Latin America and the Caribbean Office’s Chemicals & Waste Unit, under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator of the Chemicals & Waste Sub-programme. The position will be supporting the following projects and initiatives:
– The Intergovernmental Network on Chemicals and Waste for Latin America and the Caribbean
– Generating and sharing knowledge on sound management of chemicals and waste
– Global Mercury Partnership and Lead Paint Alliance
– Environment, Health and Pollution
– Sound management of waste
– Marine litter and microplastics
More specifically, the job will entail the following tasks:
-Carry out research, analysis and drafting of documents presenting data and information gathered from diverse sources to support the implementation of the chemicals & waste projects.
-Support the preparation of briefings, information material and power point presentations.
-Support the secretariat tasks of the Intergovernmental Network on Chemicals and Waste for Latin America and the Caribbean, including the meetings of the Steering Committee and the Working Group for the development of the regional action plan, as well as the programme of initial information exchange activities.
-Support the work of the Chemicals & Waste Website with web-friendly text – concise and accurate; in particular, support the development and updating of a regional clearinghouse on mercury.
-Support project development and implementation by gathering relevant information and data.
-Assist with the organization of meetings, workshops, seminars, webinars and other similar activities, supporting with the preparation of agendas, co-drafting background materials, and meeting reports.
-Support other activities of the Chemicals & Waste Unit 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:
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.
Final year undergraduate or master’s degree student in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, International Relations, Economics, Social Sciences or a related area preffered.
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),
– 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.