Location: Paris, France
Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Sector: Non Profit
Experience: Internship
Duration: The internship is for a duration of six (6) months.

Org. Setting and Reporting
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.

This internship opportunity is located within the Life Cycle Initiative unit of the Resources and Markets Branch, Economy Division of UNEP. The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Life Cycle Initiative, in coordination with Programme Officers of the unit.
The Life Cycle Initiative is a public-private, multi-stakeholder partnership fostering progress towards sustainable development through;
(1) advancing the understanding of life cycle thinking by private and public decision makers and of the decision-making process by life cycle experts, in order to improve decisions that need assessing, and comparing products, technologies, lifestyles and economy-wide choices;
(2) building consensus on and facilitating the access to environmental, social and economic life cycle knowledge (LCA data, methods, indicators, etc.).
The intern will work on projects related to Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and Resource Efficiency.

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.

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.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern.

Responsibilities
Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Provide day-to-day support for project-related activities within the Unit/Secretariat (drafting of documents, minutes, and presentations; updating and maintaining the Initiative’s members/sponsors list and related documents).
• Assist with research and data collection on themes related to life cycle thinking, hotspot analysis, and related themes according to the Programme Officers’ needs.
• Assist with research and data collection on due diligence for sponsors of the Life Cycle Initiative (www.lifecycleinitiative.org), as well as preparing outreach for new sponsors and members in line with the new Life Cycle Initiative strategy.
• Contribute towards the Unit’s communications activities, including web development and online presentation of materials and keeping websites up-to-date.
• Assist with the logistical preparation of meetings, events, and webinars organized by the unit, including the preparation of presentations and other documents and drafting summary reports.
• Assist with cross-unit collaboration opportunities.

Competencies

• 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.
• 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 decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• 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.

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.
 

• Studies in Environmental Policy/Management/Sciences/Engineering; International Affairs/Relations, preferably related to sustainable development issues are required.
• Be computer literate in standard software applications;
• Have a 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
No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme.
Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for the Internship Programme.

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.

Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.