Intern – Supporting activities of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean

Job Description

Work Location:

Panama City, Panama or remote

Expected Duration:

3 to 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the UN system’s designated authority for addressing environmental issues at global and regional levels. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by monitoring the global environment and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

The Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, serves 33 countries in the region. Its activities are integrated into the work programmes approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

The Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (the Forum) is the region’s longest-standing and most significant platform for political dialogue and environmental collaboration. It also provides key inputs from the region to UNEA. UNEP LACO serves as the Secretariat of the Forum.

Interns are sought for a period of three to six months. The internship is unpaid and full-time (40 hours per week, Monday to Friday).

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer in the Regional Director’s Office, the intern will support the activities of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean. Tasks may include:

• Contributing to the identification and processing of information related to the environmental priorities of the region’s countries.
• Assisting in organizing meetings, webinars, and similar events, including preparing agendas, drafting background materials and meeting reports, in close coordination with the Programme Management Officer.
• Supporting the preparation of briefing notes, information materials, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Assisting in updating the Forum’s webpages and preparing communications materials such as press releases and newsletters.
• Updating databases related to regional focal points and Forum activities.
• Conducting research, analysis, and drafting documents that present data and information gathered from diverse sources to support Forum activities.
• Supporting the work of Forum Working Groups by preparing meeting materials, taking notes, and gathering relevant information.
• Supporting other activities of the Regional Director’s Office, as required.

Qualifications/Special Skills:
Applicants must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a Master’s degree program in international relations, law, public administration, business administration, environmental management, or a related field; OR
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a Bachelor’s degree in one of the above-mentioned fields; OR
• Have recently graduated with a university degree in one of these fields.

Candidates should also have working knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). No prior work experience is required. The candidate’s training, education, coursework, or skills should be relevant and beneficial to the work of the United Nations.

Languages:

Fluency in both oral and written English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of Portuguese or French is an advantage.

Internship-Specific Information:

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. All costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the host country may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Successful candidates should clarify their visa requirements prior to accepting the internship offer.

Deadline : May 20, 2025