Intern - Civil Society Engagement Programme Support

Job Description

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 Governance Affairs Office engages with and guides all relevant stakeholders ranging from Member States, Major Groups and Stakeholders as well as the Private Sector. The Civil Society Unit supports the engagement of the Major Groups and Stakeholders on governing issues of UNEA and UNEP led activities and ensures effective participation of Major Groups and Stakeholders in the work of UNEP at all levels.

The intern will be located in the Civil Society Unit of the Governance Affairs Office within UNEP, Nairobi. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, the intern will support the Office in its role as UNEP’s liaison with Major Groups and Stakeholders.

In this context, the Office seeks energetic and motivated interns to begin in October 2025 and contribute to the following areas, as assigned:

• Assist in planning and organizing key events, including the Global Consultative Meetings with Major Groups and Stakeholders, the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum, and the Youth Environment Assembly, as part of the preparatory process for the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7).
• Support coordination and planning meetings for Major Groups and Stakeholders and their Major Groups Facilitating Committee (MGFC) during UNEA-7, including logistical and technical assistance and post-event reporting.
• Assist with meeting support in the Green Room, manning and receiving clients / and participants at the exhibition booths by Major Groups and Stakeholders during UNEA-7.
• Support colleagues in the registration of civil society actors processes: verification and approvals of requests received.
• Participate in meetings and assist with developing agendas, taking minutes, and preparing written summaries of discussions.
• Support accreditation of applications from non-governmental observers in all steps of the processes.
• Facilitate engagement of Major Groups and Stakeholders in meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and its informal Group of Friends.
• Assist with organizing follow-up activities, meetings, workshops, webinars and conferences related to the engagement of Major Groups and Stakeholders.
• Support in any communication related matters on substance: website updates, social media outreach and email communication to Major Groups and Stakeholders in line with UN mandates and guidelines.
• Undertake other tasks as requested.

Qualifications/special skills
A first-level degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in environmental and / or international relations, social and political sciences; sustainable development, law, philosophy, political science or cultural and social studies and related fields is required; and

a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) OR
b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); OR
c. Have graduated with a university degree

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), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s 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.

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.

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 19, 2025