Internship for Marine Conservation

Job Description

Job Opening ID: 269223
Job Network : -
Job Family : Environmental Affairs
Category and Level : Internship, I-1
Duty Station : BONN
Department/Office : United Nations Environment Programme
Date Posted : Dec 17, 2025
Deadline : Jan 16, 2026

Work Location: Bonn, Germany

Expected duration: 3-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Numerous additional intergovernmental instruments on migratory species conservation have been adopted under the broad umbrella of CMS which are supported by the CMS Secretariat.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. In the present context, UNEP provides the administrative functions for the CMS Secretariat.

Interns will work at the CMS Secretariat at the Bonn duty station in Germany. However, the internship can also be a remote internship, if needed, based on the request of a successful candidate.

CMS is looking for interns to support the Aquatic Species Team, which is responsible for the coordination of several daughter agreements which were established under the umbrella of CMS. This includes binding Agreements (ASCOBANS) and Memoranda of Understanding for specific species or species groups (turtles, sharks & rays, cetaceans, sirenians). Furthermore, the team is in charge of coordinating the implementation of COP Decisions, Resolutions and Concerted Action related to aquatic species (freshwater and marine).

The internship is for a minimum of three (3) months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of six (6) months. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, as well as the internship period.

Under the supervision of Programme Officer / CMS Aquatic Species Team, tasks during the internship may include the following:

• Assist with the implementation of Decisions taken at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS (COP15);
• Undertake literature reviews on marine mammals, sharks, rays or turtle species of concern for CMS and ASCOBANS or threats that are affecting them;
• Assist with compiling information on national, regional and international legal status of marine species;
• Undertake data analyses and visualization of data related to the international trade in marine species, fisheries data or other relevant data, including results of surveys or polls designed by the Secretariat;
• Contribute to the preparation of background documents for meetings of CMS, ASCOBANS and aquatic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs);
• Assist in the preparation of publications, presentations and other outreach material, including content for the websites;
• Contribute to the development of strategies and action plans;
• Assist in the preparation and follow-up of meetings and workshops;
• Assist with the development of project proposals for fundraising;
• Assist with the implementation of projects;
• Assist with the substantial preparations (e.g. drafting of documents) for meetings of the Sharks MOU, including the 5th Meeting of the Sharks MOU Advisory Committee and the 5th Meeting of the Signatories to the CMS Sharks MOU (Sharks MOS5);
• Assist with the development of capacity-building materials (e.g. videos, presentations, handouts) for physical and online workshops and courses;
• Participate at appropriate meetings of the CMS and ASCOBANS Secretariats; and
• Assist with the implementation of other aspects of the Secretariats work programmes.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

1. Be currently in the final year of a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent);
2. Be enrolled in a master’s or Ph.D. program (or equivalent);
3. Or have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degree within one year prior to the expected start date of the internship.

Preferred area of study for this internship: biology, ecology, zoology, environmental studies, international relations/policy, political sciences, geography, international law, or related fields.

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. Do you meet this criterion? If yes, please indicate your field of study.

To be eligible for this internship, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Be currently in the final year of a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent);
2. Be enrolled in a master’s or Ph.D. program (or equivalent);
3. Or have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degree within one year prior to the expected start date of the internship.

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 must be computer literate in standard software applications. Do you meet this criterion? If yes, please describe the software you are familiar with.

Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts is desirable. Do you meet this criterion? If yes, please provide examples of past work.

Ability to design and analyse surveys and polls is desirable. Do you meet this criterion? If yes, please provide examples of past work.

Languages

English is the working language of the CMS Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.

Additional Information

Applicants must:

• Have 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.

Your application for this internship must include:

1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note / Motivation Statement must include:

• Title of the degree you have or are currently pursuing;
• Graduation date;
• IT skills and programmes you are proficient in;
• Explanation on your interest in an internship at the UN and at CMS in particular;
• Explanation why you are the best candidate for this specific internship;
• Preferred start date, number of months you are available for, and whether you can do the internship in-person or remotely.

1. Proof of enrolment from current University (if not graduated).
2. A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).

Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration. Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

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 16, 2026