Communications and Outreach Intern

Work Location

Nairobi (In-person)

Expected duration

6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. The overall objective of UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision-makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. The Chemicals and Health Branch of the Industry and Economy Division leads UNEP's sub-programme on Chemicals, Waste and Air Quality. UNEP’s programme of work centers around assistance to countries and multilateral environmental agreement (MEA) secretariats to assist in technical-scientific issues related to priority chemicals and implementation of the United Nations Environment Assembly and Governing Council resolutions. ISP-CWP Interim Secretariat - The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP), established in June 2025, is an independent intergovernmental body with a programme of work approved by its Plenary to deliver policy-relevant scientific evidence without being policy prescriptive. Its establishment, alongside the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), completes the trifecta of panels strengthening the science-policy interface on the core dimensions of the triple planetary crisis, and constitutes a major milestone in collective efforts to strengthen the sound management of chemicals and waste and prevent pollution. The Panel is currently supported by the ISP-CWP Interim Secretariat. Interns work five days a week under the supervision of a staff member in the Secretariat. Responsibilities: Under the supervision, guidance and mentoring of the Programme Management Officers, the intern will support the ISP-CWP Interim Secretariat, with a focus on communications, outreach, meeting preparation and related Secretariat operations: Task 1 – Support to the Interim Secretariat • Support the interim secretariat in preparatory work for the convening of the resumed first session of the Plenary of the Panel. • Assist with other related tasks as appropriate. Task 2 – Communication and Outreach Support • Assist in drafting communication materials, including fact sheets, infographics, banners, brochures, posters, presentation templates, briefing notes and outreach message. • Assist in awareness raising/information sharing activities, such as drafting of web content and updating the website. • Assist in preparing communication materials for intergovernmental meetings and stakeholder consultations. • Support the preparation of outreach materials targeted at governments, scientists, civil society organizations and international partners.

Qualifications/special skills

• Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. • Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. • Proficiency in computer software applications (E.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and the use of web-based platforms and relevant software is required. Please explain how you meet this criterion using examples. • Good knowledge of graphic design and communication-related software, such as Canva, Adobe InDesign or similar tools, is highly desirable. • Preferred fields of study include communications, science communication, media studies, international relations, environmental policy, environmental management, political science, environmental law, public policy, development studies, social sciences, or other related fields.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.