Work Location
Montreal or remote
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. This internship is located at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, under the overall supervision of the Programme Management Officer. The internship has a start date of 7 September 2026 for a duration of 3 months.
The Internship is for a maximum duration of 6 months and UNPAID. The intern will conduct research and analysis of national policy instruments and recent COP decisions relevant to synergies across the Rio Conventions, prepare related analytical products and drafting inputs, and support related initiatives. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the intern will: (inter alia)
Conduct research and analysis of the latest national policy instruments (e.g. NBSAPs, NDCs, LDN targets, national adaptation plans and related strategies) relevant to synergies across the three Rio Conventions
Review and analyse recent COP decisions under each of the Rio Conventions to identify mandates, provisions and emerging areas relevant to enhanced cooperation and synergistic implementation
Prepare analytical summaries, briefing notes and comparative matrices mapping areas of convergence, complementarity and potential gaps across the conventions
Support activities and initiatives carried out under the Joint Liaison Group (JLG) of the Rio Conventions, including background research, documentation and preparation of meeting materials
Assist in drafting inputs for reports, technical papers and presentations on synergies among the Rio Conventions
Support the organization of workshops, side events and consultations related to synergies, as required
Perform other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor Interns work five days per week (35-40 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
Advanced university degree studies (Master's or PhD) in environmental policy, international environmental law, international relations, environmental sciences, climate change studies, sustainable development, natural resource management, or a related field. 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. 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.
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 another UN Language, Arabic, French, Russian, or 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.
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.