Intern on Environmental Governnance

Descripción del puesto:

Work Location
In-person and full-time

Expected duration
6 months

Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The Latin America and the Caribbean Office located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region - including 16 small island developing States, with a population of about 650 million people. The office works to serve the needs of the region, and its activities are integrated into the work programs approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly of UN Environment (UNEA). The overall objective of Environmental Governance Subprogramme is to strengthen environmental governance in the Latin American and Caribbean region to support the achievement of internationally agreed environmental goals and contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Samoa Pathway. UNEP LAC contributes to ensure coherence and synergy in environmental governance, by: enhancing stronger national institutions, better enforcement capacities and effective policies and laws, through knowledge tools, training and technical assistance, in partnership with key regional and national actors; strengthening the enabling conditions for the full implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and Agenda 2030, by engaging in partnerships that advance more integrated approaches to sustainable development, working with relevant stakeholders including policy makers, legislators, the enforcement sector, the judiciary, as well as civil society and the private sector; promoting the foundations for inclusive governance by focusing on the implementation of the environmental rule of law principle. An important initiative supported by UNEP LAC is the full and meaningful implementation of the Escazú Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean and its provisions. The Escazú Agreement, which entered into force on Earth Day, April 22, 2021, promotes environmental democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean and includes obligations for the Parties regarding the protection of environmental defenders. Under the supervision of the Legal Officer from the Law Division at UNEP LACO: One (1) Intern is sought for a six-month internship period. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. The Intern will work five days per week (40 hours), from Monday to Friday, full-time. Main tasks to be carried out within the framework of this internship are: * Assist countries to develop environmental legislation or to review and revise their environmental legislation through carrying out research and analysis, reviewing draft legislation and providing comments and drafting proposals for consideration; * Carry out legal research on international environmental and human rights law, and governance issues, including analysis and presentation of key information to facilitate decision-making; * Assist in the provision of targeted legal support to countries for implementation of the Escazú Agreement, as well as in the elaboration, discussion and dissemination of good practices in this field; * Assist in the organization and conduction of initiatives and activities on environmental human rights defenders; * Assist in performing UNEP's roles and functions as Secretariat under the fifth Montevideo Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law, e.g., meetings, preparing the agenda, taking notes, supporting in the planning and implementation of activities; * Assist in the development of regional model laws on key environmental issues, and other relevant activities under the work of PARLATINO and other relevant parliamentarian associations; * Assist in the implementation of technical legal support to countries on environmental law matters, in the strengthening of legal frameworks and institutional capacities, as well as in the organization and conduction of subregional virtual consultations and capacity building activities; * Prepare written summaries and/or make oral presentations of his/her research, including briefing notes and reports; * Contribute to the finalization of key publications on environmental law including through research, drafting and editing; * Assist with the organization of training events, meetings, workshops, seminars, webinars and other similar activities, through e.g. the preparation of agendas, co-drafting background materials, and meeting reports, liasing with participants, assisting with the virtual set up where needed, taking notes; * Support the production of websites, publications, posters, and public information activities; * Undertake such other tasks as may be assigned by the Legal Officer from Law Division at LACO. The intern will support in a wide range of activities which will result in strengthened delivery of UNEP's environmental governance and environmental law programme in Latin America and the Caribbean through enhanced legal research, technical support, knowledge products, and support for regional capacity-building initiatives. Main outputs/products expected for this internship are listed below. a) Legal research and analytical products prepared. b) technical inputs provided to environmental law and governance initiatives. c) regional meetings, webinars and capacity-building activities supported. d) knowledge products and publications developed or finalized. e) support provided to the implementation of the Fifth Montevideo Programme and regional environmental governance initiatives. f) communication and outreach materials prepared.

Qualifications/special skills
Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: * Be enrolled in a master's degree programme in Legal Affairs, Law, International Law, or International Environmental Law; or * Be enrolled in the final academic year of a Bachelor's degree program in Law or in Legal Affairs; or * Have graduated with a university degree in Legal Affairs, Law, International Law, or International Environmental Law. - Knowledge of critical environmental issues in the Latin American and Caribbean region is desirable. While no prior professional experience is required for this internship, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate relevant academic background or coursework aligned with the internship. This may include academic projects, research assignments, or coursework that highlight their ability to work effectively on environmental law and governance.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and writing English and Spanish are required, since work will require research and communication, including reading and interviews, in both languages. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Additional Information
The candidate should have: - Strong analytical skills, and sound knowledge of Environmental law, and international law. - Excellent communication and writing skills in Spanish and English, as well as a high degree of planning and organizational skills, coordination, creativity, and works well as a team. - Be computer literate in standard software applications (MS Office). - 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. Competencies Communication: * Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. * Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. * Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. * Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. * Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: * Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. * Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise, willing to learn from others. * Places team agenda before personal agenda. * Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. * Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Client Orientation: * Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view * Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. * Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions * Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems * Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects * Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

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