Intern: studies in law, preferably international law/ human rights/ environmental law

Work Location

UNECE, Palais des Nations, Geneva Switzerland

Expected duration

Two internships (a) 1 October 2026 to 15 February 2027 (b) 16 February to 15 August 2027 Please indicate your preference.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern is expected to contribute to the work of the Environment and Forests Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Under the supervision of the officers of the secretariats of the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) and its Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (Protocol on PRTRs) and the UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) and its Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (Protocol on SEA), the intern will:

(a) Support the preparation, organisation and servicing of the intergovernmental meetings under the Espoo Convention and its Protocol on SEA, including the Bureau meeting (Geneva, December 2026), the 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Espoo Convention and the 6th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on SEA (1–4 December 2026) and any other intersessional activities. (b) Support the preparation (including through legal and policy research and drafting of relevant documents), organization and servicing of the meetings of the Compliance Committees under the Aarhus Convention and the Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs), as well as meetings of other bodies under the Convention and the Protocol such as the Task Forces and the Working Groups of the Parties, and of any other intersessional activities; (c) Assist in the preparation of outreach materials for publication and drafting short articles on the Aarhus Convention and Espoo Convention, as well as their Protocols, including drafting content for the Conventions’ websites, social media accounts and related updates; (d) Assist with updating the databases of the Aarhus Convention and the Espoo Convention, as well as their Protocols, including the Aarhus Clearinghouse for Environmental Democracy and PRTR.net, through research, drafting and editing of entries; (e) Carry out other tasks as required in the section, such as desk research, meeting support, drafting of reports, processing of data, and assist the officers of the secretariat with day-to-day tasks required to implement of the work programmes of the Aarhus Convention and the Espoo Convention, as well as their Protocols.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

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

(a) Be enrolled or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);

(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent).

Be computer literate in standard software applications and CMS (e.g. Drupal); For this internship, studies in law, preferably including international and/or human rights and/or environmental law or equivalent are required Have a 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 for all countries are accepted and under-represented or un-represented countries in the UN are encouraged to apply. No professional work experience is required for participation in the Internship Programme.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French or Russian is an asset.

Additional Information

Please indicate your preference of the period in the cover note. (a) 1 October 2026 to 15 February 2027 OR (b) 16 February to 15 August 2027. Completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required.

The cover note must include: Title of the degree and graduation date or title of the degree that you are currently pursuing and the expected graduation date. List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in, Top three areas of interest, Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship position. Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. KINDLY NOTE THAT THIS TEMPORARY JOB OPENING IS SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF AN INTERNSHIP WITH THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE. The Internship Programme is guided by Administrative Instruction ST/AI 2020/1 of the United Nations issued by the Under-Secretary-General for Management. Interns are considered type I gratis personnel. They are not staff members. The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibilities of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns work five days per week. Interns shall not be eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in the Secretariat for a period of six months following the end of their internship. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage and provide a medical certificate of good health. The United Nations is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship. A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this instruction, "child" means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member's spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). "Sibling" includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child. Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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.