Panama: Intern, Environment Affairs

Apr 19, 2021 | UN Environment Programme
View Original

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 has "Disasters and Conflicts" subprogramme since 1999 and has responded to environmental dimensions of emergencies and crises in numerous countries, including Guatemala, Paraguay, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, Haiti, Honduras and others.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the programme focuses on the following:

  1. The environmental drivers and impacts of human mobility (migration and displacement);
  2. Preparedness and response for the management of the environmental dimensions of emergencies and crises (whether rapid-onset emergencies or chronic situations);
  3. Environment and security.

The objective of this internship is to support the regional "Disasters and Conflicts" programme to expand in quality and scope, through research and analysis support to the regional humanitarian affairs officer and the consultant facilitator/researcher.

The Internship Programme is for a six-month period (considering the scale and complexity of the programme, internship and learning would be difficult to achieve to a rewarding level in less than that time) and will be under the direct supervision of the Regional Humanitarian Affairs Officer of the Latin America and the Caribbean Office.

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours).

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

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 preparedness and response:

  • Following completion of online training, update the format of the FEAT impact tables to easy the mapping process for specific countries when requested, and 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;
  • Create / maintain contacts lists for relevant environment and civil protection focal points in regional governments and intergovernmental organisations, especially during periods of higher hazard impact risk (e.g. Caribbean and Central America hurricane season, South America flood and fire seasons).

Regional Environment and Emergencies Preparedness Network:

  • Assist in drafting the communications and in the creation of the meetings minutes regarding the Environment and Emergencies Preparedness Network for Latin America and Caribbean;
  • Support in information gathering, research and analysis to draft the Action Plan for the Environment and Emergencies Preparedness Network for Latin America and Caribbean.

Project research:

  • Conduct secondary data research to support the development of baselines / needs assessments, concept notes, proposals or policy briefs;
  • Support in the research process of finding the latest and available guidance related to environment in humanitarian action and assist in classifying them. This may include research to improve the quality and depth of training events or tools and guidance developed within new or existing projects.

Monitoring and reporting:

  • Support the development of the monthly Disasters and Conflicts bulletin, taking the lead on bulletin development with support from 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;
  • Develop / update database of programme activities, projects and emergency deployments and their contribution to global frameworks (SDGs, Sendai Framework, Agenda for Humanity, others);
  • Draft inputs for quarterly report to Committee of Permanent Representatives;
  • Update programme coordination systems with current and future projects and project closures;
  • Maintain team shared drives with appropriately named and classified information for future teams, programme development, emergency response and research.

Coordination:

  • Participate in emergency coordination groups. This may include representing UNEP and presenting relevant information to participants if the regional humanitarian affairs officer has been de ployed to an emergency;
  • Participate in the Environment in Humanitarian Action Network, chaired by the UNEP/OCHA Joint Unit (based in Geneva);
  • May contribute to the development of country UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, depending on circumstances of the internship.

Communications:

  • Proactively identify opportunities to keep the UNEP regional webpages on Disasters and Conflicts and other relevant websites up to date with information highlighting the relationship between environment and emergencies and the most recent activities of the programme;
  • Support the preparation of communications pieces, technical briefing notes, news pieces, draft reports and publications as necessary, including the six-monthly programme report https://spark.adobe.com/page/2c8MRfK1dWJTe/

Support other activities as requested. This may include support to the organisation of events, moderation of discussion boards on specific topics, translation support or task managing of home-based UN Volunteers on specific assignments.


This internship will be implemented remotely, with the intern working from home and having access to UNEP systems as appropriate. A detailed workplan with learning goals will be developed and regularly reviewed. Online meetings will be held at least weekly to ensure support, guidance and learning. This remote internship modality has already been used in the Disasters and Conflicts programme for six months in 2020, ensuring that the intern gained a full learning experience from the internship and the experience of working from home, under the supervision and guidance of UNEP staff. All UNEP staff in Panama are working from home and there is no definite date or arrangement for returning to an office environment.

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
    • 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, Geographic Information Systems, waste management, chemical engineering, water engineering or industrial safety preferred, or other demonstrably relevant field of study.

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

For this internship, fluency in oral and writing English and Spanish are required, since work will require research and communication, including reading and interviews, in both languages. Working knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.

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.

Special Notice

"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."

Your application for this internship must include:

1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:

  • Title of the degree you are currently pursuing
  • Graduation Date
  • IT skills and programmes you are proficient in
  • Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
  • Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, ensure to include all past work experience (if any).

2. Proof of enrollment from current University (if not graduated).

3. A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).

Since the cover letter is one of the main documents used to assess applications, candidates are strongly recommended to detail their experience. Applications which do not clearly present the candidate’s availability, interest in environment and emergencies and relevant experience may not be shortlisted.

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, 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.