Intern (Legal Assistant)

Work Location: In-person full-time

Expected Duration: Three to six months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 Law Division leads the development and implementation of the UNEP Environmental Governance Subprogramme, which includes the promotion of streamlined and coherent environmental governance at the international level, the promotion of progressive development and implementation of environmental law, support to international environmental agreements (known as multilateral environmental agreements – MEAs), and promotion of mainstreaming of environmental objectives in the development sector. The Law Division internship is for three months with a possibility of extension for six months depending on the needs of the Organization. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. The Law Division also leads UNEP’s role as secretariat to the Fifth Montevideo Programme on the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V). Montevideo Programme V is a ten-year intergovernmental program adopted by the UN Environment Assembly at its fourth meeting in March 2019. The Programme will promote the environmental rule of law, strengthen the related capacities in countries, and contribute to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit Division and/or her designates, selected interns will work with and learn from a team of experienced legal professionals in environmental law.

The interns will be offered the opportunity to: 

• Support intergovernmental processes, notably as the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly and the meeting of the national focal points to the Fifth Montevideo Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law, including by preparing legal briefs on substantive matters and rules of procedure; 
• Assist countries in developing environmental legislation or reviewing and revising their environmental legislation through carrying out research and analysis, providing comments, and drafting proposals for consideration; 
• Assist in the development of institutional capacities in countries to support the implementation of environmental legislation and compliance with MEAs and in coordination activities among relevant entities, such as the Green Customs Initiative (GCI); 
• Carry out research on select environmental law and governance issues, including but not limited to environmental rule of law, MEAs, progressive development of international environmental law; implementation and enforcement; human rights and the environment; and environmental crime;
• Prepare written summaries and/or make oral presentations of his/her research, including briefing notes and reports; 
• Assist in the organization and support of training events and other meetings and workshops that are organized by the Division through, e.g., preparing the agenda, compiling materials, making presentations, taking notes, and related tasks;
• Help monitor, manage, and assist in due diligence activities for online knowledge bases, such as InforMEA, the Law and Environment Assistance Platform, and project websites, in support of UNEP’s digital transformation. This will include providing up-to-date information on environmental laws, news, and resources and supporting LEAP’s response mechanism to requests for technical assistance; 
• Undertake such other tasks as may be assigned by the Director and/or her designates, such as the preparation of communication material promoting the Law Division’s work.

Qualifications/special skills

Posting Text: Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: 

1. be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (Master’s degree or equivalent, or higher); 
2. Preferred area of study: Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in law. 

Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of French or Spanish is an advantage.

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.

APPLY NOW