United Nations Environment Programme is looking for an Executive Office Intern

Work Location
In-Person, Full-time

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 Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions are multilateral environmental agreements, which share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes. The Basel Convention was created to protect people and the environment from the negative effects of the inappropriate management of hazardous wastes worldwide. It is the most comprehensive global treaty dealing with hazardous waste materials throughout their lifecycles, from production and transport to final use and disposal. The Rotterdam Convention provides Parties with a first line of defence against hazardous chemicals and pesticides. It promotes international efforts to protect human health and the environment as well as enabling countries to decide if they want to import hazardous chemicals and pesticides listed in the Convention. The Stockholm Convention is to protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous, long-lasting chemicals by restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use, trade, release and storage.

The internship is located in the Executive Office of the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. The Executive Office provides strategic, coordination, and administrative support to the Executive Secretary in carrying out the leadership and management functions of the BRS Secretariat. It ensures effective internal communication, facilitates decision-making processes, and coordinates the Executive Secretary’s engagement with internal and external stakeholders, including senior UN officials, government representatives, and development partners.

To strengthen the efficiency and responsiveness of the Executive Office, an intern is being recruited to support the Personal Assistant to the Executive Secretary in daily operations, document management, communication, and logistical coordination. This internship will offer meaningful exposure to executive-level functions and processes within a United Nations environment.

• Provide the intern with practical experience in executive and administrative management within a UN setting.
• Support the Executive Office in managing high-level coordination, documentation, and communication tasks.
• Contribute to the effective and timely execution of the Executive Secretary’s priorities and engagements.

Under the overall guidance of the Executive Secretary and the direct supervision of the Personal Assistant to the Executive Secretary, the intern will perform the following duties:

Administrative and Logistical Support

• Assist in managing the Executive Secretary’s calendar, appointments, and meeting requests.
• Support logistical arrangements for internal and external meetings, events, and official missions.
• Assist in the preparation of briefing packages, background materials, and talking points.
• Maintain and update filing and record-keeping systems (both electronic and hard copy).

Documentation and Communication

• Draft and format routine correspondence, notes, and internal communications for the Executive Office.
• Support the preparation of meeting notes, minutes, and follow-up action matrices.
• Assist in maintaining contact lists and communication databases.
• Help coordinate internal information flow between the Executive Office and other divisions, UN agencies, and external partners.

Research and Analytical Support

• Conduct background research and compile information for reports, speeches, and briefing materials.
• Support the preparation of PowerPoint presentations and data summaries.
• Contribute to ad-hoc projects or special initiatives under the Executive Secretary’s direction.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Personal Assistant or the Executive Secretary, as required.

Qualifications/special skills

• Applicants must be enrolled in or have recently completed (within one year) a graduate or final year of an undergraduate programme in Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 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.
• Previous internship or administrative experience in an international organization, government, or academic setting is desirable.
• Applicants should demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills;
  • Strong organizational, planning, and time-management abilities;
  • High attention to detail and demonstrated ability to produce accurate and quality work under pressure and complete tasks independently;
  • High level of discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive information;
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment;
  • Proficiency in standard office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

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.

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