Internship:International Law or International Environmental Law

Work LocationUnited Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Geneva, Switzerland Expected durationThe internship is for a duration of 6 months within the period 1 April to 30 September 2025. Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe internship is located at the secretariat to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Convention) in the Environment Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva. UNECE Environment Division contributes to the overall objectives and mandate of UNECE as a multilateral platform facilitating greater economic integration and cooperation among its member States, and to the broad aim of the Environment subprogramme to safeguard the environment and human health, and to promote sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.The Convention aims at limiting and, as far as possible, gradually reducing and preventing air pollution including long-range transboundary air pollution with the objective to protect human health and the environment. Since its adoption in 1979 the Convention has addressed some of the major environmental problems of the UNECE region through scientific collaboration and policy negotiation. The Convention has been extended by eight protocols with specific obligations designed to reduce emissions of key air pollutants. It now has 51 Parties including the European Union. The secretariat, inter alia, supports the intergovernmental process, the science and policy process, the implementation and compliance review, capacity-building and is responsible for communication and awareness-raising. Responsibilities Under the supervision of a staff member of the secretariat to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, and within the framework of the Transboundary Cooperation Section team, the intern will: a) Conduct document and legal research, inter alia, to enhance the overview of legal decisions and to support the work of a newly established ad hoc group on open data, and on other topics as needed. b) Summarise the research results and assist with drafting other documents, reports and presentations, especially, but not exclusively related to the ad hoc group on open data; c) Prepare content for the Convention’s website, including making proposals on user-friendliness and updating the website where necessary in line with the policies in place; d) Support the organization and preparation of intergovernmental meetings, such as sessions of the Working Group on Strategies and Review and the EMEP Steering Body and the Working Group on Effects, and observe the respective proceedings; e) Support the preparation of press releases, articles, web stories, informal meeting minutes and other materials as required; f) Proofread and verify publications and informal documents/information as required; g) Perform other duties as required for the implementation of the workplan of the Convention, including capacity-building activities, activities on outreach and cooperation and activities related to cooperation with other organisations. Qualifications/special skillsTo qualify for the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: - Applicants to the United Nations internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: (a) Be enrolled or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent). For this internship, studies in international law or international environmental law or equivalent are required; Experience in legal research is desirable; Knowledge about open data licensing is an asset; Be computer literate in standard software applications; Have a 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. Applicants for all countries are accepted and under-represented or un-represented countries in the UN are encouraged to apply. No professional work experience is required for participation in the Internship Programme. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English is required. Additional InformationThe cover note must include: Title of the degree and graduation date or title of the degree that you are currently pursuing and the expected graduation date. List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in, Top three areas of interest, Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship position, Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. KINDLY NOTE THAT THIS TEMPORARY JOB OPENING IS SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF AN INTERNSHIP WITH THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE. The Internship Programme is guided by Administrative Instruction ST/AI 2020/1 of the United Nations issued by the Under-Secretary-General for Management. Interns are considered type I gratis personnel. They are not staff members. The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibilities of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns work five days per week. Interns shall not be eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in the Secretariat for a period of six months following the end of their internship. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage and provide a medical certificate of good health. The United Nations is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship. A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this instruction, \"child\" means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member's spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). \"Sibling\" includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child. Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 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.