Internship on ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

City/location:

Geneva, Switzerland

Organization:

United Nations Environment Programme

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Purpose and Objectives

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. UNEP’s Disasters and Conflicts Branch works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

The Disasters and Conflicts Branch extends UNEP’s work to areas of the world where the natural and human environment have been damaged from conflicts or disasters. Specialized environmental expertise is provided to rapidly identify risks to health, livelihoods, and ecosystem services and to integrate environmental needs within the recovery process. The Disasters and Conflicts Branch promotes sustainable management of natural resources in conflict and disaster affected countries. The branch’s work demonstrates to decision makers the importance of natural resources management as a precondition for sustainable development and as an instrument for peace building and disaster risk reduction. Since 1999, the team has conducted field operations in over 40 countries and works in close cooperation with the humanitarian, development, and peace-building frameworks of the UN system. More information can be found at www.unep.org/disastersandconflicts.

Communications are a key strategic priority for UNEP as part of the organisation’s mandate to advocate for the environment. This is achieved through a wide range of communications activities at national and global level, including an active social media presence. The Disasters and Conflicts Branch is working directly with teams in many countries around the world, as well as at a global level on communications related to its work. In addition, since 2008, UNEP has supported a unique partnership of 25+ organisations known as the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR), which promotes and advocates for Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) as well as adaptation to climate change-related risks. PEDRR is the primary platform through which UNEP collaborates and leverages its influence on Eco-DRR. UNEP’s Eco-DRR portfolio has five components: global advocacy, capacity building and training, field implementation, development of knowledge products and partnerships. UNEP hosts the Secretariat of PEDRR which disseminates a weekly newsletter and manages PEDRR’s social media and public outreach.

UNEP is currently focusing on the second phase of its Eco-DRR Programme, with funding from the European Commission and the Government of Norway. This Project aims to scale up Eco-DRR implementation in countries and communities. By doing so, the Project aims to catalyze increased public and private sector investments in Eco-DRR and develop different “models” for achieving and demonstrating how Eco-DRR can be up-scaled.

This internship position is for a person who will support UNEP’s communications and outreach activities for our Disaster Risk Reduction portfolio and support the PEDRR Secretariat and its other partnerships and networks. The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. 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.

Qualifications / special skills or knowledge

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
1. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
3. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation;
Background in communications, international affairs, international development, environmental policy or related fields would be an asset.
Strong interest and familiarity with social media and online communication tools.
Experience in web content management systems and graphics design (using Adobe Suite or Canva) would be an asset.
Ability to write clearly and succinctly in English is required. Other languages would be an asset.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

Support day-to-day management and operations of the PEDRR Secretariat, including:
1. Update and maintain all documentation regarding PEDRR and Eco-DRR related project communication materials into consolidated electronic filing systems in MS Teams;
2. Maintain and monitor the PEDRR Network database as well as PEDRR’s content management systems, social media follower database, and Flickr account;
3. Support the Eco-DRR team’s communications focal point in developing and implementing PEDRR’s communication strategy, especially through the use of social media and newsletters;
4. Develop PEDRR’s weekly newsletter focusing on Eco-DRR related issues and respond to user inquiries from the PEDRR network;
5. Assist in the daily maintenance of PEDRR’s knowledge management platforms including the Virtual Global Support Centre;
6. Provide content creation support for PEDRR’s social media channels, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter;
7. Contribute ideas to help increase PEDRR audience engagement across digital channels;
8. Support further development and maintenance of the PEDRR website, especially the “About page”, “Experts page”, and “Case studies”.
Support the work on Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction:
1. Support the monitoring of UNEP/PEDRR social media outreach and assisting the Eco-DRR team’s communications focal point in other monitoring and reporting tasks as needed;
2. Support in organising virtual events, such as webinars and conferences;
3. Support with the creation of communications products, such as presentations, flyers etc.
4. Updating of PEDRR/Eco-DRR websites as requested;
5. Any other communication tasks, as required.