Internship for Gender Studies

Job Description

Job Opening ID: 269700
Job Network : -
Job Family : -
Category and Level : Internship, I-1
Duty Station : BONN
Department/Office : Convention to Combat Desertification
Date Posted : Dec 23, 2025
Deadline : Jan 8, 2026

Work Location: Home-based

Expected duration: 04 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: 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 offered by the Global Policy Advocacy and Research (GPARC) unit of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Bonn, Germany.

We are seeking a dynamic and resourceful team player, with a strong interest in the gender dimensions of land degradation desertification and drought issues, to complete a four-month internship with UNCCDs GPARC team. This internship is a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience within UNCCD and the UN in general. Background on UNCCDs gender work and resources to date can be found at: Gender at UNCCD

Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief of GPARC Unit, 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.

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 full-time. The intern works 5 days per week between Monday to Friday (35 hours) and a one-hour lunch break. Start date is in January or February 2026, with exact date to be determined as soon as possible.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of GPARC or any other staff member in the GPARC unit, the intern will assist in the performance of the following duties:

• Coordination and administrative support
• Keep lists of participants and take notes at webinars or meetings
• Draft and send invitation letters for Gender Caucus at COP17
• Assist planning and organization of displays or sessions for COP17
• IT support to online sessions
• Logistics planning and support
• Communications
• Become familiar with UNCCD communications procedures
• Draft talking points as needed
• Support on organizational processes, or note-taking
• Solicit stories and inputs
• Draft profiles or stories of women leaders
• Draft press releases
• Gender Caucus
• Draft concept notes for Gender Caucus sessions at COP17
• Research and propose suitable panelists for these sessions
• Attend online preparatory meetings
• Send and track invitation letters
• Keep lists of participants and take notes
• Prepare and update table of funded participants
• Draft bios as needed
• Research
• Conduct or support research on gender and drought, or related topics
• Find relevant articles, publications and/or tools
• Contribute to Communities of Learning and Practice
• 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);
• 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

Languages

There are six working languages in the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Internship with UNCCD is unpaid. Interns are not financially remunerated by the UNCCD. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses, as well as for health coverage, are the responsibility of the intern or his/her sponsoring institution.

Intern Specific text

Interns 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 Fee

THE 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.

DEADLINE: January 8, 2026