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Job Opening

Posting Title:

INTERN - INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (UNEP - The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), I

Job Code Title:

INTERN - INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Department/ Office:

United Nations Environment Programme

Duty Station:

GENEVA

Posting Period:

9 April 2015-23 April 2015

Job Opening number:

15-DOC-UNEP-42151-R-GENEVA (O)

Staffing Exercise ID:

N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

At the meeting of the G8+5 Environment Ministers in Potsdam, Germany (March 2007), the participating countries called for a global study on “the economic significance of the global loss of biological diversity” as part of a “Potsdam Initiative” for biodiversity.
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) initiative was launched in order to respond to this mandate and resulted in the production of the following series of reports focused on improving understanding of the economic costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and to communicate this understanding to key stakeholders.
Since the launch of these reports in 2010, the TEEB initiative has entered a new phase of work focusing on the implementation of report findings in decision-making at all levels. The UNEP TEEB Office has been established in Geneva to facilitate and support several processes at the country level as well as the sector/biome level.
The purpose of this internship is to assist the TEEB team in carrying out this portfolio of work.

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) internship is for 3 - 6 months depending on the needs of the department.

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.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background; the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period.

Under the direct supervision of the TEEB Coordinator, The incumbent will be involved in supporting a number of activities associated with two of TEEB’s flagship projects:
1. TEEB for Agriculture & Food

2. TEEB-ENRTP: “Reflecting the value of ecosystems and biodiversity in policymaking in Liberia, Philippines, Bhutan, Tanzania and Ecuador”.

While the specific details of the internship will vary according to needs of the team and preferences of the intern, it is expected that his/her responsibilities will fall within one or several of the broad activities below:

1. Research, analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources to support the implementation of TEEB project activities;
2. Support the review of project deliverables;
3. Assist with the organization of meetings and outreach events, developing necessary background materials, sourcing appropriate speakers, and report writing;
4. Support communication activities (e.g. draft stories for social media, TEEB newsletter, etc);
5. Depending on the incumbent’s skills and background (e.g. specific language skills), country- or region-specific research, and review tasks may be assigned;
6. Support other activities as requested.

An acceptance letter to the internship will be provided for obtaining visas.

Competencies

Core 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:
be enrolled in:
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 and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

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; and

Have a demonstrated the 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.

Academic background in economics (environmental and natural resource / ecological), Geography, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, Law or related discipline preferred.

Work Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.

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 Spanish is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Your application for this internship must include;

1. 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.

2.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.

3. 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

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

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.