Job: INTERN - ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS

Closing date: Monday, 5 June 2017

Posting Title: INTERN - Environment Affairs - UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Asia Pacific Regional Task Force Internship., I (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: INTERN - ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS

Department/ Office: United Nations Environment Programme

Duty Station: GENEVA

Posting Period: 23 May 2017-6 June 2017

Job Opening number: 17-ENV-UNEP-79711-J-GENEVA (O)

Staffing Exercise ID: N/A

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

Special Notice

Your application for this internship must include

• A Completed application (Personal History Profile) through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In your Personal History Profile (PHP), be sure to include all past work experiences, IT Skills, and three references.
• Proof of enrollment (click on link to access and attach to your application: http://unon.org/content/internship-programme), List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in using, and Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship and what you hope to gain from the internship.
• A certified copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).

Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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.

The UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) (www.unepfi.org) is a unique global partnership between the UN Environment and the private financial sector. UNEP FI works closely with over 200 financial institutions that are signatories to the UNEP FI Statements of Environmental Commitment, and a range of partner organizations to develop and promote linkages between the environment, sustainability and financial performance. Through its industry commissions, thematic advisory groups and regional activities, UNEP FI carries out its mission to identify, promote, and realize the adoption of sustainability practices at all levels of financial institution operations.

At present, UNEP FI members come from the banking, insurance and investment industries, spread across almost 60 countries. UNEP FI's global-level work streams are translated into and informed by regional- and national-level activities and priorities. Regional and national coordination provides the opportunity for Asia Pacific members to interact and share best practices with regard to mainstreaming sustainability in business operations, addressing issues of specific interest in the region, and ensuring regional representation within. The main lines of Asia Pacific work are the following

• Build and reinforce UNEP FI relations with strategic actors at regional and national networks/ alliances promoting sustainable finance in selected countries;
• Support the increase of awareness of social and environmental risks and opportunities for the financial sector, and the capacity to integrate sustainability in business operations by finance institutions in Asia Pacific.

The UNEP FI Asia Pacific Regional Task Force internship is for 6 months.

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time, and based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background; the intern's assigned office as well as the internship period.

In line with UNEP FI work programme for 2017 and under the supervision of the Signatory Relations Manager, the Intern will support the implementation and consolidation of UNEP FI workplans for Asia Pacific.

• Conduct / update research on the situation of sustainable finance in selected focus countries, feeding into the regional outreach activities;
• Support the outreach activities to expand signatories to the UNEP Statement of Commitment by Financial Institutions on Sustainable Development;
• Assist with preparation of sustainable finance events in the region (training and awareness-raising activities);
• Update the contact database for UNEP FI Signatories in Asia Pacific, if and as relevant;
• Assist in liaising with UNEP FI Signatories in Asia Pacific, country partners and other relevant stakeholders;
• Assist with development and translation of public communication through, for example, UNEP FI newsletter, website, etc. particularly as relevant for Japan and Korea;
• Support in liaison between and among Coordinators based in Bangkok, Tokyo and Seoul.

The tasks will be prioritized according to the immediate /upcoming activities of UNEP FI in Asia Pacific.

Competencies

Core 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

Planning and Organizing

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
• Uses time efficiently

Accountability

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards
• Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules
• Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments
• Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

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

Creativity

• Actively seeks to improve programmes or services
• Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs
• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas
• Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks 'outside the box'
• Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things
• Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches

Technological Awareness

• Keeps abreast of available technology
• Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office
• Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks
• Shows willingness to learn new technology

Commitment to Continuous Learning

• Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession
• Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally
• Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates
• Shows willingness to learn from others
• Seeks feedback to learn and improve

Managerial Competencies

Vision

• Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks.
• Clearly communicates links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals.
• Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction
• Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities

Leadership

• Serves as a role model that other people want to follow
• Empowers others to translate vision into results
• Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives
• Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support
• Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions
• Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo
• Shows the courage to take unpopular stands

Empowering Others

• Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work
• Encourages others to set challenging goals
• Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility
• Genuinely values all staff members' input and expertise
• Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort
• Involves others when making decisions that affect them

Managing Performance

• Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority
• Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member
• Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills
• Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
• Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff
• Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative
• Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff
• Appraises performance fairly

BuildingTrust

• Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion
• Manages in a deliberate and predictable way
• Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda
• Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients
• Gives proper credit to others
• Follows through on agreed upon actions
• Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately

Judgement/ Decision-making

• Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly
• Gathers relevant information before making a decision
• Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them
• Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization
• Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information
• Checks assumptions against facts
• Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision
• Makes tough decisions when necessary

Education

Applicants 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 program (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.

Be computer literate in standard software applications.

Have 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.

Preferred area of study: Masters in economics, finance, development studies, business management

Work Experience

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

Languages

• Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Japanese and / or Korean is also an advantage.

Assessment

• Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, 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 or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira.

Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations.

Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.

For more info: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1495617263513