Terms of Reference for Internship contract (SC/DRR)

Support the work of UNESCO’s Disaster Risk Reduction Unit and contribute to the development, implementation, and administration of the Unit’s initiatives and projects. The intern will gain firsthand experience of UNESCO’s decision-making processes and project implementation, both internally and in collaboration with external partners, by assisting a Programme Specialist with both substantive and logistical tasks.

At the same time, the intern will broaden his/her knowledge on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and other domains in which UNESCO is engaged by interacting with a multitude of experts and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the implementation of Gender and DRR to ensure the addition of this component in all future DRR projects, training UNESCO colleagues
• Assist with the collection of DRR and climate change adaptation (CCA) activities and initiatives UN Plan of Action for UNDRR
• Support the implementation of the project on building resilience to wildfires and extreme heat through innovative early warning and community-based solutions in Mozambique and Zambia
• Support the implementation of the projects in Solomon Island and Ethiopia on using innovative solutions for resilience
• Assist the Unit on the planning and logistics of the data hackathon for resilience
• Assist the Unit on the coordination among different Sectors and Field Offices on DRR activities to create synergies on UNESCO DRR.
• Assist the Unit on collaboration with the partners including UNESCO’s expert network and other UN Inter-Agency platforms, by seeking further potential collaboration and providing UNESCO’s inputs.
• Contribute to the preparation of input for meetings and workshops.
• Assist the identification of new opportunities and partners for UNESCO’s DRR.
• Get acquainted with the work of UNESCO and perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications/Skills

Education

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree programme or have recently obtained a graduate degree or equivalent in gender studies, social sciences, environmental science, natural sciences, geography, architecture, civil/environmental engineering, or other related fields. Previous work experience in the field of disaster risk reduction or climate change adaptation will be an asset.

Skills

• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work under pressure within an international setting
• Ability to perform a variety of administrative tasks
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and a strong team working capacity
• Strong written communication skills
• Basic knowledge of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policies is an asset

Language

• Fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in Arabic is a plus.

Period

Duration of the internship is six months starting from January 2026. Interns are required to work full-time during office hours. 

Working Unit

The Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO. The candidate will be supervised by Ms Faduma Ali, Associate Programme Specialist, SC/DRR, at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, France.

Please note that this internship is to be carried out in person.

Remuneration

No remuneration for the internship contract.

Application

To apply, please submit a CV and letter of motivation to [email protected]. The application period will close on 24 September 2025.

Background

Access information on UNESCO activities in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction.