Internrship, Gender dimensions of sand and dust storms

Work LocationHome based Expected durationAugust to December 2025(part-time, 3 days per week) Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: Desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention seeks to support countries to address Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought (DLDD). (www.unccd.int ) The internship opportunity is located in the Global Policy Advocacy and Research (GPARC) unit of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Bonn, Germany. Under the guidance and supervision of the Gender Policy Officer, the Intern provides services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Intern promotes a client-oriented environment and is consistent with rules and regulations approach in the Unit. We are seeking a dynamic and resourceful team player, with a strong interest in the gender dimensions of sand and dust storms, to complete a three-month internship within UNCCD’s GPARC team. This internship is a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience within UNCCD and the UN in general. The Intern works in close collaboration with the units and staff in the GPARC and Secretariat to exchange information and ensure smooth service delivery. The internship is UNPAID and part-time. The intern works remotely 3 days per week between Monday to Friday and a one-hour lunch break. Start date is in August or September 2025, with exact date to be determined as soon as possible. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Gender Policy Officer or any other staff member in the GPARC unit, the intern will assist in the performance of the following duties: Communications – Prepare PowerPoint presentations, summaries and other documents as needed. Develop and refine issue brief on the gender dimensions of sand and dust storms. Gender Caucus – Provide suggestions and documentation as needed for the Gender Caucus sessions at CRIC23 in Panama. Support to research study on gender dimensions of sand and dust storms - Documentation and analysis of interviews conducted with key informants in Australia, Egypt and Mali. Build on the Gender-Transformative Approach (GTA) for the RBET framework of, a cross-country comparative synthesis on the countries we are focusing on and even later translate it to a practical tool or brief for SDS (Sand and Dust Storms) preparedness and response in relation to gender. Research – Deepening of case study analysis through conducting further research and stakeholder engagement to enrich the existing case studies, additional interviews with key informants, and integrating local community perspectives to ensure contextual accuracy and depth. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor. Qualifications/special skills• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); OR • Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Applicants who are unable to commence the internship within one year of graduation shall not be accepted; • Research skills: ability to perform effective and efficient internet searches, and desk research; • Writing skills: ability to draft and edit content for publication in the language he/she shall be working in, i.e. English; • Planning and organizing: ability to work in an organized and structured way • Computer literate, with sound knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office Suite LanguagesFor this internship, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. Additional Informationa) The normal duration of an internship is three months, which can be extended for an additional period of three months by mutual consultation and consent. The total duration of internship shall not exceed maximum period of six months. b) Applicants may not be related - i.e. spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son - to a staff member of the UNCCD secretariat. c) There is no promise of employment either during or upon completion of an internship with the UNCCD but with the experience you have acquired during your time as an intern you might be interested in applying for General Service or Consultancy/Individual contractor positions. If you want to apply to positions at the Professional levels, we ask you to let at least six months pass after the end of your internship before you submit your application, and ensure that you fulfill not only the educational but also the work experience requirements that are outlined in each job opening. d) An intern is not a staff member of the UNCCD, therefore the privileges and immunities agreed between the UNCCD and the host Government do not apply to interns. e) An intern undertakes to conduct himself/herself at all times in a manner compatible with his/her responsibilities as an intern of the UNCCD. f) The intern is required to keep confidential all unpublished information made known during the course of the internship, and must not publish any reports or papers on the basis of information obtained, except with the prior written authorization of the UNCCD. These obligations will not lapse upon the expiration of the internship period. For a remote internship, candidates will require a laptop or desktop PC (with Windows 10 or newer) or Mac (with the latest MacOS update), as well as a reliable, high-speed internet connection. An Office 365 license will be provided by the UNCCD to enable the candidate to access official emails, SharePoint, OneDrive and other office applications, such as Word and Excel. Further computer requirements: • An antivirus application which receives regular updates; • Browsers must be a newer version with regular updates enabled; • Regular Windows 10 updates should be enabled with Windows laptop or PC. In addition, a mobile phone will be required to enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) through SMS or the Authenticator App. Intern Specific textInterns 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 FeeTHE 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.