Environmental Law and Governance Intern

Job Description

Work Location: Nairobi, Kenya (In-Person Full-Time)

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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.

The Law Division carries out UNEPs functions in the field of environmental law, governance, and related policy issues, including those related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). The Law Division also leads UNEP’s role as secretariat to the Fifth Montevideo Programme on the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V), to promote the environmental rule of law, strengthen the related capacities in countries, and contribute to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.

This internship is located in the Law Division in Nairobi. Under the direct supervision of a relevant staff member, the interns will work with and learn from a team of experienced professionals in the area of environmental law and governance, and contribute to its progressive development.

The interns are expected to:

• Carry out and prepare research briefs on substantive matters, including on rules of procedure, legal affairs or other environmental law and governance issues.
• Assist in the development of institutional capacities in countries to support implementation of environmental legislation and compliance with MEAs.
• Prepare written summaries and/or make oral presentations of research topics, including briefing notes and reports.
• Contribute to the finalization of key publications on environmental law and governance and to any communication material promoting the Division’s work, including through research, drafting and editing.
• Assist in the organization and support of training events, meetings and workshops that are organized by the Division through, e.g., preparing the agenda, compiling materials, making presentations, taking notes and related tasks.
• Support intergovernmental processes, as needed.
• Help monitor, manage, and support UNEP online knowledge platforms.
• Undertake such other tasks as may be assigned by the Director, Head of Branches and other relevant Officers within the Division.

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 bachelors degree or equivalent).

Preferred areas of study are Law, International Relations, Environmental Governance, Public Administration, among other related areas of study.

The following are the preferred skills:

• Robust legal knowledge, research skills, and an understanding of environmental laws and policies.
• Ability to conduct legal research and analyze legal and governance frameworks.
• Strong skills in drafting meeting notes, reports, legal memos, or position papers.
• Strong communication skills with different stakeholders and knowledge of Microsoft Office and digital tools.

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), Masters or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelors, Masters 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.

Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

DEADLINE: Feb 12, 2026