Life Cycle Initiative Intern

Work Location

Paris and Remote

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING: 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. This internship opportunity is located within the Life Cycle Initiative unit of the Resources and Markets Branch, Industry and Economy Division of UN Environment (http://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/). The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Life Cycle Initiative, in coordination with Programme Officers under the unit.   The Life Cycle Initiative is a public-private, multi-stakeholder partnership fostering progress towards sustainable development through (1) advancing the understanding of life cycle thinking by private and public decision makers and of the decision-making process by life cycle experts, in order to improve decisions that need assessing, and comparing products, technologies, lifestyles and economy-wide choices; and (2) building consensus on and facilitating the access to environmental, social and economic life cycle knowledge (LCA data, methods, indicators, etc.). The Life Cycle Initiative is hosted by UN Environment, Industry and Economy Division, Paris.  The intern will work on projects related to Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and Sustainable Consumption and Production and will provide support to the programme officers working in different high impact sectors and supply chains: Buildings and Construction, Mining and Extractives and Textiles. The internship will last for a duration of 6 months. The team is looking to recruit two interns. There is an in-person position and one remote position. Responsibilities:  Duties may include, but are not limited to:    - Support activities that encourage mainstreaming of life cycle thinking and approaches in high impact sectors, such as Building and Construction, mining and extractives, and textiles. - Assist with research, data collection and analysis on themes related to life cycle thinking, hotspot analysis, and related areas of work according to the Programme Officers’ needs.  - Assist with research and coordination as required for preparing outreach for existing and new partners and members in line with the Life Cycle Initiative strategy.  - Provide day-to-day support for project-related activities within the Unit/Secretariat (drafting of documents, minutes, and presentations; updating and maintaining the Initiative’s members/sponsors list and related documents).   - Contribute towards the Unit’s communications activities, including social media posts, online presentation of materials and keeping website up-to-date.  - Assist with the logistical preparation of meetings, events, and webinars organized by the unit, including the preparation of presentations and other documents and drafting summary reports.  - Assist with cross-unit collaboration opportunities.  - Perform additional tasks as requested by the team.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent); or (c) have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one year period of graduation from an academic programme. Applicants who are unable to commence the internship within one year of graduation shall not be accepted. Academic background at least at Bachelor’s level or equivalent, in the area of environmental science, political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or in a related field. 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. Please explain below.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other languages is an advantage.

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.