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. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for ‘sustainable development’. One of the key agreements adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention establishes three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by UNEP.

This internship is located at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, under the supervision of the Senior Programme Management Officer for Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Reviewing and the Programme Management Officer for National Reports, Monitoring, Review and National Reporting Unit, Implementation Support Division. The Programme Support to planning, monitoring, reporting and reviewing of the Convention and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework internship has a start date of February 2024 for a duration of three (3) months with a possibility of an extension depending on the needs of the Organization. The Internship is for a maximum duration of 6 months and UNPAID. 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. 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. Duties and Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Management Officer for Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Reviewing and the Programme Management Officer for National Reports, the intern will provide support to the follow-up with the outcomes adopted by the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in December 2022, in particular decisions 15/6, 15/5 and other related decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities

•  Prepare a resource manual for the preparation of the seventh national report as indicated in annex II to decision 15/6;
•  Provide support to the implementation of the monitoring framework adopted in decision 15/5;
•  Provide support to capacity development activities related to NBSAPs and national reporting;
•  Provide support to the further development and testing of the on-line reporting tool;
•  Review related documents and materials to support the preparation of related materials for capacity development activities in support of the updating of NBSAPs and the preparation of national reports;
•  Undertake other tasks assigned by the supervisors.

Qualifications/Special Skills

Applicants to the United Nations internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: (a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or, (b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor ‘s level or equivalent). (c) 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. Preferred area of study: Candidates from all related disciplines are welcome to apply for this internship. However, a strong interest in multilateral diplomacy and sustainable development is essential and prior experience in undertaking reviewing/analysis as well as in communication would be highly regarded. In addition, prior exposure to biodiversity issues in particular familiarity with the CBD and the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework, and development cooperation areas would be an asset. 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. 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 this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN Language, Spanish or French, 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.