Intern: United Nations 2026 Water Conference

Position description

Work Location:Nairobi

Expected duration: 6 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

The overall objective of UNEP’s Ecosystems Division is to support countries in conserving, restoring and sustainably managing their terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, the biodiversity they contain and the products and services they provide for human well-being and prosperity. It helps countries develop policies and programmes to respond to ecosystems challenges and reduce pollution from land-based and sea-based activities, increase resilience to climate change and reflect linkages between poverty and environment in their development planning.

The FEU’s work is guided by its project document “Sustainable Management, Conservation and Restoration of Freshwater Coastal and Marine Ecosystems and Resources”, which includes three key areas of work:

• Enhance use of data and information on status, values and connectivity of freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and their natural resources in sustainable development, climate, biodiversity and other national policy and planning processes.
• Increase in the development and adoption of integrated policies, action plans, financing and governance frameworks by national or subnational entities for the protection, conservation, restoration and sustainable management of freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems along the water continuum.
• Upscale implementation of integrated EBM and Application of NbS for conservation, restoration and use of freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and resources along the water continuum.

The Intern will operate under the supervision of the Associate Expert (P2) of the FEU on freshwater ecosystems in coordination with the other PMOs of the Unit, under the overall supervision of the Chief of Unit at UNEP.

The Intern will support the FEU within the Marine and Freshwater Branch in its contribution to the high-level water agenda. S/he will be responsible for the following duties:

• Support UNEP’s role as a co-convener of the Interactive Dialogue c) “Water for the Planet” by contributing to the preparation of background materials.
• Work collaboratively across teams and divisions to gather inputs that inform UNEP’s engagement in the Water Conference and other high‑level water‑related events.
• Assist in the production of briefing notes and resources kits to advance UNEP strategic priorities in the lead up of the Water Conference and other high-level water-related events.
• Contribute to UNEP’s inputs to the High-Level Political Review (HLPF) SDG 6 review in July 2026.
• Support the communication team in developing content that highlights UNEP’s work and leadership in protecting freshwater ecosystems ahead of the Water Conference.
• Perform other tasks as needed to support the programme of work of the FEU and its partnerships.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

• Are enrolled in a master’s or in a Ph.D. programme; or
• Are enrolled in the final year of a bachelor’s programme; or
• Are within one year after graduation from a Bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D. programme in the field of communications, public relations, graphic design, or equivalent.

In addition:

• Demonstrate pleasant interpersonal skills.
• 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.
• Have a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and has a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.

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. Previous work experience is not required, however experience in the field of programme management and/or public relations is desirable. Academic qualification on hydrology, environment, natural resources management or related area is desirable.

Have you completed a UN Internship before? If yes, please include the UN entity as well as concrete dates?

Languages

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

Application instructions

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