United Nations Environment Programme is looking for a CITES Intern - Legal Unit (2 positions)

Organization: United Nations Environment Programme

Location: GENEVA

Level: INT - I-1

Job Family: ENV

Application Deadline: 26 June 2026 at 03:59 UTC

Job Opening Number: 26-United Nations Environment Programme-278089-Consultant

Apply via: UN Inspira Portal

Work Location

Geneva

Expected duration

6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates international trade in specimens (plants, animals and parts and derivatives thereof) of about 36,000 species listed in the three Appendices of the Convention. In order to efficiently implement the Convention and ensure that when international wildlife trade occurs, it is legal, sustainable and traceable, Parties to CITES need to have in place adequate national legislation and designate one or more Management and Scientific authorities. The role of the Secretariat is to support Parties in the effective implementation of the Convention and the related Resolutions and Decisions. To further assist Parties and to ensure that the Convention continues to respond to current conservation needs and challenges, the Conference of the Parties is directing the Secretariat to undertake an increasing number of specific activities. The Secretariat is also tasked with organizing the annual meetings of the permanent committees and with organizing smaller ad hoc workshops and consultations.

Duties and responsibilities:

1. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer(s) of the CITES Legal Unit, the intern will:

• Assist with conducting research and analyses related to the implementation of specific CoP Decisions and Resolutions
• Assist in conducting background research for the preparation of substantive meeting documents.
• Assist in preparing documents for the meetings of the permanent committees.
• Compile and prepare analyses of information submitted by Parties in response to various calls for information related to their implementation of the Convention.
• Assist with other tasks as assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must, at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent); or (b) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher); or (c) have graduated with a university degree

Academic qualifications in the following fields: law (public, international, criminal, environmental) or social sciences, law enforcement, policing, criminal justice, homeland security, environmental law.

Excellent writing skills are desirable.

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.

Interest and motivation to work on legal, compliance, and enforcement matters related to CITES (judiciary, customs, policies, wildlife authority). Knowledge of CITES or similar organizations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French 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.

Additional Information

Specific terms of reference will be shared with the successful candidates. Due to the high volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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.

While we do our best in sharing high quality job postings, Jobs in Geneva can't guarantee or be made responsible for the content in the postings (e.g. specified deadlines or links).