Intern - Disasters and Conflicts Programme

Aug 19, 2019 | UN Environment
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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. UN Environment has had a "Disasters and Conflicts" subprogramme since 1999. UN Environment has responded to environmental disasters and the environmental dimensions of conflicts in numerous countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, South Sudan, Sierra Leone and DR Congo. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the subprogramme UN Environment has implemented related projects and activities in Guatemala, Paraguay, Dominica, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru and has an extended operational presence in Haiti. UN Environment's "Disasters and Conflicts" subprogramme has three streams of work: 

  • Risk reduction - including ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction; chemical and industrial accident risk reduction; climate-induced security risk; natural resource management in fragile and conflict-affected states; environment and displacement;
  • Emergency response - environmental emergency preparedness and response; post-crisis environmental assessments; environmental impact of humanitarian operations;
  • Long-term recovery - environmental cooperation for peacebuilding; long-term country recovery programmes. 
 UN Environment is undergoing a process of strengthening its regional presence. To this end, regional coordinators for most subprogrammes have been placed in regional offices, including for the "Disasters and Conflicts" subprogramme in Latin America and the Caribbean (based in Panama City). This also implies a process of strengthening the quality and scope of the subprogramme, to increase UN Environment's visibility with regional member states and intergovernmental organisations as the leader on environmental issues related to disaster risk management and conflict. Interns are sought for each six-month internship period, to take over from interns currently working for UN Environment and ensure that there are two interns working in the Disasters and Conflicts team at any one time. This opening seeks to cover three internship rotations, April – October 2019, July2019 – January 2020 and October 2019 - April 2020. Candidates should make clear in their cover letters which rotation they wish to be considered for. Internships shorter than six months are generally not possible. The internship for the Disasters and Conflicts subprogramme is for six (6) months. The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (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.
 The main activities to be carried out within the framework of this internship are: Emergency response:
 
  • Following completion of online training, conduct remote "FEAT" impact assessments for key countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. In case of rapid-onset emergency, conduct or immediately update FEAT impact tables for the affected country or area;
  • Using GIS programmes (e.g. ArcGIS) or graphic design/CAD, develop FEAT scenario maps based on FEAT impact tables developed - potentially also other scenario maps such as plume maps using Marplot or Aloha;
  • In the event of a rapid-onset emergency, act as information officer for the environmental dimensions of the emergency, analysing reports and information coming out of the affected area and interpreting them with an "environmental lens" to identify possible environmental issues or potential situations of pollution or environmental risk, keeping the relevant parts of UN Environment informed accordingly and developing information sheets or infographics and press releases for publication (UN Environment website and Redhum.org);
  • Conduct secondary research on ongoing emergency responses in the region to identify the environmental dimensions of the emergency and potential environmental "footprint" of the international response;
 Project research:
 
  • Conduct secondary data research to support the development of baselines / needs assessments, concept notes, proposals or policy briefs.
 Monitoring:
 
  • Support the development of the monthly Disasters and Conflicts bulletin, taking the lead on bulletin development and circulation in the absence of the regional humanitarian affairs officer;
  • Develop indicators and tools to help future interns identify the environmental dimensions of common humanitarian crises in the region, strengthen analysis and early warning.
 Coordination:
 
  • Participate in emergency coordination groups. This may include representing UN Environment and presenting relevant information to participants if the regional humanitarian affairs officer has been deployed to an emergency;
  • Participate in the Environment in Humanitarian Action Network, chaired by the UN Environment / OCHA Joint Unit (based in Geneva)
  • May represent the D&C programme in the development of country UNDAFs, or contribute to their development, depending on circumstances;
 Communications:
 
  • Proactively identify opportunities to keep the UN Environment regional webpages on Disasters and Conflicts up to date;
  • Support the preparation of communications pieces, technical briefing notes, news pieces, draft reports and publications as necessary;
  • Keep Redhum webpage updated with regionally-relevant information on environment and humanitarian affairs;
 Support other activities as requested. This may include the organisation of events or task managing of home-based UN Volunteers on specific assignments

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:
 
  1. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
  3. 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 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. Final year undergraduate or master’s degree student in Disaster Management, Humanitarian Affairs, Environmental Management, geography, waste management, chemical engineering, water engineering or industrial safety preferred, or other *demonstrably* relevant field of study.

Work Experience

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

Languages

 Excellent writing and communication skills in English and Spanish are required. Working knowledge of other UN official languages 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

 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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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. 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. 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 legislation of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuance 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.