Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading environmental authority that sets the global environment 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 is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level.
The internship is for a period of 6 months. It is unpaid and full-time. Interns will work five days (35-40 hours) per week under the supervision of the Head of Communications, New York Office, UN Environment.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include:
• Curate and produce digital content on UN Environment New York events and special events for UN Environment New York social media channels, including articles on news related to the work of UN Environment in New York, multimedia for use in connection with social media posts to boost UN Environment New York’s visibility and reach
• Assist in producing communication products for events organized by UN Environment in New York including and not limited to infographics, flyers, posters, banners, videos and others
• Assist in planning and organization of key UN Environment events and activities in UN Headquarters
• Ensure that UN Environment New York website is updated regularly with new stories and events
• Assist with outreach and media for events organized by UN Environment in New York, including the organization of press briefings and conferences
• When required, attend and summarize key discussions on meetings at UN Headquarters, including meetings organized by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Security Council and UN missions in New York.
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.
Planning and 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.
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 in journalism, communication, media studies, information technology, political science, international relations, analytics or related field (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
(b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme in journalism, communication, media studies, information technology, political science, international relations, analytics or related field (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
(c) have graduated with a university degree in communication, media studies, journalism, information technology, political science, international relations, analytics or related field (as defined in (a) or (b) above) 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.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have work experience for participation in the programme. However, experience in the following tasks is highly desirable.
– Familiarity with main social media platforms, including UN Environment and UN social media platforms
– Experience and ability to shape documents for different audiences an asset
– Experience with print and digital media
– Ability to convert complex and abstract ideas into simple visual concepts
– Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task
– Must be able to work in a multicultural environment and be aware of political sensitivities
– Experience in summarizing and writing documents related to environmental issues is highly desirable
– Knowledge of UN and intergovernmental processes an asset
– Knowledge of the work of the United Nations and the ideals of the UN Charter
– Be computer literate in standard software applications including graphic design and audio-visual software
– Familiarity with video production and editing an asset
– Ability to interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes tolerance of differing opinions and views
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the internship, fluency in oral and written English is required; and knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration
Special Notice
Your application for this internship must include:
a. A completed online application (Personal History Profile) through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
b. In cover letter, please explain why you are the best candidate for the internship, what you hope to gain from the internship and indicate any applications that you are proficient in, e.g. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, social media platforms etc.
c. 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.