Internship at the United Nations Environment Programme Location: Brussels DL: 17 June 2011

UNEP’s Regional Office for Europe (UNEP/ROE) – based in Geneva – promotes intergovernmental policy dialogue and regional cooperation, increases national capacity for environmental management and response emergencies, raises awareness and enhance information exchange, and translates global policies into regional action.
Within UNEP/ROE, UNEP’s Brussels Office aims at establishing regular and strategic relations with the European Union institutions (European Commission, European Parliament, Council of Ministers, Economic and Social Committee). The Brussels office works at policy, programmatic and public communication levels.
The role of communications in the Brussels Office is closely linked to that of policy & partnership with the European Union as well as with Major Groups and Stakeholders who are located in Brussels. Resource mobilization is also a component linked to the communications work undertaken in the office. In practice, what this means is opening doors and exploring opportunities for partnership with key organizations working at the EU level in Brussels; monitoring EU news, political developments; representing UNEP at meetings, conferences and events; and ensuring a good flow of information in the spirit of partnership with the EU institutions and other organizations.

2.   Internship description

The intern selected will gain pragmatic and professional experience of working at UNEP as well as engaging with various EU institutions. S/he will also gain an introduction to the broad range of UNEP’s activities worldwide. He/she will also be fully involved into other UNEP Brussels office activities and events.
The intern will be mainly dealing with:
-        Communications
-        Major groups and stakeholder liaison

3.   Duties and tasks

a)   Awareness-raising & visibility
§  Broaden the outreach and explore new partnerships with EU institutions, EU-focused organizations & Brussels-based media.
§  Contribute to the identification of areas of common interest between the European institutions and UNEP.
§  Assist in organizing and participating in UNEP-led and other partnership events.
§  Represent UNEP at conferences and public events.
b)   Communication & outreach
§  Collect and monitor EU news and political developments as well as events organized by other EU-focused institutions.
§  Monitor and liaise with UNEP offices worldwide, especially to collect new reports and publications, in order to prepare UNEP’s newsletter to the EU and Brussels-based major groups and stakeholders.
§  Research UNEP products, programmes and activities; prepare summaries for short articles for press and promotional material.
§  Support the launch of UNEP reports.
c)   Information management
§  Support internal information flow; keep contact with other UNEP offices worldwide as instructed.
d)   Liaison with major groups and stakeholders
§  Contribute to UNEP Brussels Office’s strategy for engagement with major groups and stakeholders.
§  Contribute to the identification of major stakeholders; build the UNEP Brussels major groups and stakeholder database.
§  Assist in monitoring and analysis of relevant initiatives and possible collaboration with UNEP.
e)   Other ad hoc duties as required
§  Attend meetings, conferences and events and report back to relevant UNEP staff.
§  Respond to email and phone enquiries.
§  Support the organization and undertaking of high-level visits and events.
§  Contribute with other UN entities on collaborative events.

4.   Requirements

-      University Degree in a discipline relevant to UNEP’s mandate. Interns should be currently enrolled at a University.
-      Demonstrated interest in Environmental issues, the United Nations, and/or international governance.
-      Good knowledge and interest in the European Union.
-      Excellent level of English. Other languages an asset, especially French.
-      Competencies:
·        Leadership experience
·        Confident speaker
·        Creative & innovative thinker
·        Well-prepared
·        Concise and clear writer
·        Motivated to work in an international organization

5.   Conditions

Applicants must as a minimum requirement be enrolled in the fourth semester of undergraduate (bachelor level) programme and be willing to work on a full-time basis, five days per week.
Interns receive no remuneration. Costs of travel, accommodation & living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns are solely responsible for obtaining the necessary visas and arranging their travel to Brussels. Interns must also provide for and prove that they are insured for the period of their internship.

6.   Application process

Please send you CV and a customized cover letter to Ms Martine Foerter by 14 June 2011: unep-eu@unep.org mentioning “UNEP Communications intern” in the subject of your e-mail.
We plan to conduct telephone interviews with shortlisted candidates on 16 June 2011 & to notify the successful candidate by 17 June 2011.
The starting date to be discussed at the interview.