United Nations Environment Programme
Outline of the organisation
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.
Its mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
The work is categorised into seven broad thematic areas: climate change, disasters and conflicts, ecosystem management, environmental governance, chemicals and waste, resource efficiency, and environment under review. In all its work, UN Environment maintains an overarching commitment to sustainability.
UN Environment works closely with Member States, as well as representatives from civil society, businesses, and other Major Groups and Stakeholders.
Positions available
UN Environment accepts volunteers and interns, as well as hiring staff with a range of professional qualifications for specific vacancies as they arise. Internships and permanent positions with UN Environment are advertised here.
(1) Internships
UN Environment offers internships lasting between two and six months.
The nature of the work during a UN Environment internship will depend on the needs of the office to which you are assigned, your qualifications and interests. Most interns work on a project or several projects which will benefit both them and UN Environment, such as limited research, creation or improvement of databases and/or web sites, public relations, liaison with partners etc.
UN Environment does not provide financial support for interns. There is no expectancy of employment at the end of the internship and interns cannot apply for any regular or temporary position with the United Nations during the internship and for a period of six months following the expiration date thereof.
The United Nations Office at Nairobi offers internships on behalf of UN Environment to students who are currently enrolled in at least the final year of a first university degree programme or in a graduate school (second university degree or higher) programme at the time of application, or if they have graduated, can commence their internship within a one-year period after graduation.
Requirements
Applicants must:
- be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or higher);
- be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
- have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) above); and
- if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
Application process
Internships are advertised and applications are submitted via either the UN Careers Portal or the UN Environment careers page.