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 global Agenda 2030 can only be achieved by engaging and empowering stakeholders, mobilizing partnerships and engaging untapped innovative approaches. It is widely acknowledged that the role of civil society and non-government organization is crucial, including the role of those organizations based on faith, values, culture and indigenous knowledge. Building on the cultural diversity is significant and fulfills the fourth dimension of sustainable development as called for in Rio Summits.
Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) have been recognized by the UN system as key and important players in eradicating poverty, improving people’s health, protecting the environment and thus achieving sustainable development. In many countries, spiritual beliefs and religion are main drivers for cultural values, social inclusion, political engagement, and economic prosperity. Utilizing the dynamics of these beliefs at the local level and the role of faith actors is crucial for sustainable development. Conserving the environment has not been absent from the focus of faith-based organizations.
For the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the integrated approach includes religious and cultural values to ensure inclusive green and transformative development through adopting lifestyles that are informed by faith-based values and behaviors to achieve sustainable consumption and production.
For this purpose, UNEP has launched in 2017 the global Faith for Earth initiative to strategically engage with faith-based organizations with a mission to “To Encourage, Empower and Engage with Faith-Based Organizations as partners, at all levels, toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfilling Agenda 2030.” In doing so, UNEP is engaging with faith-based organizations to realize an impact on local communities’ sustainable livelihoods based on common spiritual values. The Strategy focuses on mobilizing faith communities and faith-based investments in supporting SDGs implementation while greening their assets and providing the needed knowledge for effective messages of faith leaders with decision makers and the public. The three overarching goals of the strategy relate to 1) Leadership for policy impact; 2) Green Faith-Based Financing to achieve the SDGs; and 3) Knowledge-based decision support system.
This online internship is located within the Law Division that is hosting the Faith for Earth Initiative.
The internship is for a duration of 6 months and is UNPAID. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background and the major tasks assigned to the intern as well as the internship period.
Interns work five days per week (40hours) under the direction of the principal coordinator and director of the Faith for Earth Initiative and in cooperation with other staff of the division.
The internship will support the research and activities around the goals of the initiative and the identification of relevant entry points for UNEP in supporting programmes, initiative and countries in the implementation of the engagement strategy as well as provide support to communicating environmental faith-based messages using social media outlets of UNEP and the network of faith-based organizations.
“In the context of the new normal, applicants are 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.” For this internship with Faith for Earth, it is entirely remotely based.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the principal coordinator of the Faith for Earth initiative, the intern will:
• Assist in implementing the Faith for Earth Strategy and project by supporting the principal coordinator and the team in the research of linkages between different faiths and environment conservation.
• Support the activities of the Faith for Earth Initiative in organizing, facilitating, and recording meetings’ discussions.
• Research, structure and tabulate different approaches to faith organizations on the wide spectrum on environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration and sustainable consumption and production;
• Conduct research on key priorities and thematic areas of the initiative
• Assist in the preparation of global webinars and events on Faith for Earth.
• Assist in the production of content for use on the social media, website, newsletter and other communications channels promoting and inspiring actions by faith believers to conserve the environment;
• Assist in the day-to-day management of the social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram) in particular in the context of UNEP’s communication campaigns;
• Support in connecting and communicating with faith-based environmental organizations;
• Support in the writing of different progress reports and articles on linkages between faith, values and beliefs to environmental conservation.
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) enrolled in a graduate school (second university degree) or higher in the area
or
b) in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) or
c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined in a) and b)) and must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
The applicant should
• have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations
• have a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter
• have 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.
Preferred area of study:
A degree in environmental studies, communications, media studies, international relations or journalism and other social sciences, including sociology, theology, political science, as well as in the areas of information and knowledge management, or related field.
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
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. For the internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Your application for this internship must include:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
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.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
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.
