Programme/Administrative Support

Abidjan

06 months

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 Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Established in 1981, the Abidjan Convention provides a regional cooperation framework for the protection, management and development of the marine and coastal environment of the south-eastern Atlantic region, from Mauritania to South Africa with a coastline of just over 14,000 km. In accordance with Article 16 of the Convention, the United Nations Environment Programme, hosts and administers the Secretariat of the Abidjan Convention. The Convention area hosts ecologically significant ecosystems—mangroves, lagoons, estuaries, coral and seagrass habitats—that sustain vital fisheries, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of millions of coastal residents. However, these ecosystems are under increasing threat from rising sea levels, accelerated coastal erosion, land salinization, habitat degradation, and climate-induced biodiversity loss. Human activities such as maritime transport and oil and gas exploration and exploitation further increase the risk of land-based pollution and oil spills. Strengthening coastal resilience and regional capacity to respond to these pressures is therefore a priority for the Contracting Parties. The internship is located within the Abidjan Convention Secretariat supporting regional environmental cooperation and the implementation of programmes related to marine and coastal ecosystems, pollution prevention, and sustainable blue economy initiatives. Under the supervision of the Head of the Secretariat, the intern will: • Provide day-to-day administrative and office support: o Handle incoming calls, visitors, and information requests; refer when needed. o Process administrative documents (e.g. travel requests, purchase orders, contracts, leave records). o Log in correspondences; review, record, distribute and/or process mail and other documents. o Respond to routine correspondences, requests and inquiries; sets up and maintains files/records, monitors deadlines for timely responses, etc. o Organize meetings and events, including scheduling, logistics, and follow-up. o Provide secretarial, administrative and logistics support to staff meetings, retreats, and other internal meetings. o Maintain calendar/schedules; monitors changes and communicates relevant information to appropriate staff inside and outside the immediate work unit. o Proofread documents and edit texts for adherence to established UN communication standards. o Coordinate shipment arrangements, courier services, etc. • Monitor deadlines, workflows, and compliance with required procedures and approvals. o Monitor and track delivery of the unit’s outputs, products, tasks, reports, etc.; where applicable, assists in the verification of requisite documents. o Perform data entry and maintain accurate records. o Maintain file, records and databases (both paper and electronic in SharePoint). • Research, compile and organize information and reference materials from various sources for reports, work plans, studies, briefings, meetings/conferences, presentations, etc. • Updates and maintains distribution lists; monitors, prepares and distributes various materials, reports, where possible using electronic formats; handles arrangement for printing and translation as necessary; • Support meetings, committees, and conferences with administrative and logistical tasks. • Performs other duties as assigned.

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: • Applicants must 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). • Be computer literate in standard software applications. • Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and • Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Not available.

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.

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.