Kenya: Communication Internship on Climate Peace and Security

Mar 17, 2024 | UN Environment Programme
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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. UNEP’s Disasters and Conflicts Programme works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

The Disasters and Conflicts Programme extends UNEP’s work to areas of the world where the natural and human environment have been damaged from conflicts or disasters. Specialized environmental expertise is provided to rapidly identify risks to health, livelihoods and ecosystem services and to integrate environmental needs within the recovery process. The Disasters and Conflicts Programme promotes sustainable management of natural resources in conflict and disaster affected countries. The branch’s work demonstrates to decision makers the importance of natural resources management as a precondition for sustainable development and as an instrument for peace building and disaster risk reduction. Since 1999, the team has conducted field operations in over 40 countries and works in close cooperation with the humanitarian, development and peace-building frameworks of the UN system. More information can be found at www.unep.org/disastersandconflicts.

Communications are a key strategic priority for UNEP as part of the organization’s mandate to advocate for the environment. This is achieved through a wide range of communications activities at national and global level, including an active social media presence. The Disasters and Conflicts Programme is working directly with teams in many countries around the world, as well as at a global level on communications related to its work. UNEP’s Environment Security work focuses on understanding how environmental degradation and climate change interact with peace and security dynamics ensuring that effective measures are put in place to protect the environment, ensure resilience to climate change, and promote peace in politically complex and fragile contexts.

UNEP achieves these two goals through:

Analysis: what is the state of the environment, how it is changing, what are the drivers and pressures, what are the linkages between environmental degradation, peace, security, and stability, what are priority concerns, how do specific environmental changes impact people and conflict/peace dynamics.

Solution-design: Identifying good environmental practices to address priority issues (e.g. ecosystem restoration, natural resource government mechanisms and agreements, infrastructure for water storage and harvesting…) Support to implementation: Identifying partners and donors, forming and managing partnerships; convening, process-design, managing and negotiating hurdles with political sensitivity.

The Position

This internship position is for a person who will support UNEP’s communications and outreach activities for our Climate peace and security advisor for Somalia and support the work in Somalia. 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.

Tasks and responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

  • Support the implementation of deliverables of corporate communications strategies, including the organization and management of initiatives and events and the production and revision of digital and traditional products.
  • Support all aspects of communication including research and vetting, production and management, presentation and promotion, and monitoring and evaluation.
  • Conduct research and brainstorm opportunities related to internal communications and branding.
  • Write, edit, and upload text and multimedia content, including feature articles and interviews, to online communication platforms including to compliment the new Climate Security Dashboard, Newsletters and Water Working Group.
  • Attend meetings and conduct staff interviews for the production of internal-facing news articles.
  • Help organize events related to corporate communications strategies and programmes.
  • Support Unit staff to engage in activities and initiatives related to the corporate branding and communications strategies.
  • Support the marketing and promotion of the corporate Integrate Office branding and communications strategies and related deliverables.
  • Other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree (but within 1 year of graduation) or currently enrolled in a Master’s Programme or the final year of undergraduate degree
  • Background in communications, environmental sciences, environmental policy, disaster management, climate change studies, informational graphics, graphic design, environment-related advocacy, or other related fields
  • Strong interest and familiarity with social media and online communications 4. Experience in web content management systems and desk-top publishing would be an asset 

Languages

Ability to write clearly and succinctly in English is required.

Intern Specification

 

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.

Expected Duration: 6 months

Work Location: Nairobi