Programme Support: Capacity-Building and Development Intern

Job Description

Work Location: Montreal

Expected duration: Three to six 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.

At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for ‘sustainable development’. One of the key agreements adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention establishes three main goals:

• The conservation of biological diversity,
• The sustainable use of its components, and
• The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources.

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by UNEP.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Capacity-Building and Knowledge Management Unit and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer for Capacity-Building and Development, the intern will support the review of the progress in the implementation of the long-term strategic framework for capacity-building and development, by, inter alia:

1. Reviewing, collating and analysing data from the seventh national reports submitted by Parties, and responses to a survey administered by the Secretariat;
2. Extracting data concerning technological, technical and institutional capability gaps for a parallel analysis on capacity needs;
3. Assisting with the preparation of the progress report on the implementation of the long-term strategic framework, summarizing key findings, challenges and limitations, insights, conclusions, and recommendations for consideration by SBI7 and COP17;
4. Contributing to the development of social media posts, and website content related to the long-term strategic framework; and
5. Assisting in other duties as may be requested.

Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

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.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants to the United Nations internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

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

Be computer literate in standard software applications.

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.

Experience in undertaking research and collecting and analyzing qualitative information is required.

Experience with basic data analysis and synthesis methods, including the ability to identify trends, patterns, and gaps across datasets is required.

Experience in translating complex information into well-structured findings, insights, and preliminary conclusions is required.

Knowledge of, or strong interest in, capacity-building and development, biodiversity-related policy processes, and multilateral environmental agreements is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French and Spanish is desirable.

NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.

Additional Information

Not available.

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 : Feb 25, 2026