Closing date:

Intern: Environment affairs (risk knowledge section), I

City/location:
Geneve
Organization:
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

This job posting has closed

14-ENV-UNISDR-33805-R-GENEVA

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNISDR has around 100 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNISDR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA); campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people's lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as PreventionWeb, publications on good practices, and by leading the development of the post-2015 disaster risk  reduction framework (HFA2) and the organization of the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015 in Japan. This internship position is located in the Risk Knowledge Section (RKS) of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) in Geneva, Switzerland. The Intern will report to the Coordinator, HFA Progress. The UNISDR/Risk Knowledge Section internship is for six months with no opportunity for extension.

Responsibilities

  • Assist in the collation, analysis and synthesis of information emanating from the HFA Progress Review, including national and regional progress reports on the Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) since 2007.
  • Contribute to the extraction of key information on HFA impact from official statements in global for a, including but not restricted to Global and Regional Platforms on Disaster Risk Reduction, COPs, Aid Effectiveness fora, Rio+20, regional ministerial meetings inter alia.
  • Undertake literature review to unearth information not captured by existing monitoring mechanisms and to verify global and regional progress in the implementation of the HFA.
  • Assist in liaising with the HFA Focal Points of UNISDR Regional Offices to organize 'high-level' interviews with senior government officials on the impact of the HFA.
  • Undertake quality control of information as necessary, including analysis of gaps in targeted research.
  • Support other tasks as requested, including but not restricted to the development of the 'Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action - Summary of reports 2005-2015'.

Expected results

  • Analysis of substantive content, determination of trends, and correlations in information reported in national and regional reports of progress in the implementation of the HFA;
  • Information on progress in implementation of the HFA at global and regional levels cross-referenced and verified against secondary data sources, including an analysis of official statements etc.
  • "High-level" appraisal of the impact of the HFA supported.
  • 'Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action - Summary of reports 2005-2015' supported.

Competencies

Communication:

  • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
  • Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.
  • Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
  • Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience.
  • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for
team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

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

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
  • Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

Field of study must be in Information Management, Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Law, Ecology, Development, International Relations, Economics, or related fields; or if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, have completed at least two years of full-studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree.

  • Be computer literate in standard software applications; have a strong internet research skills; knowledge of basic HTML and photo, audio or video editing a plus;
  • Interest in disaster risk reduction issues.

Work Experience

  • 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 are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.

Languages: Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

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