LIMATE, PEACE AND SECURITY INTERN

Job Description

Work Location

Nairobi, Kenya (In-person)

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background:

This position will support the Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (OSE-HoA), within the Climate Peace and Security Hub, based in Nairobi, Kenya. The Office of the Special Envoy is mandated to promote peace and conflict prevention in the region, working closely with IGAD under the UN-IGAD cooperation framework signed in Djibouti on 17 November 2015, and other regional organisations. Its core responsibilities include carrying out good offices, functions, and special assignments on behalf of the Secretary-General as required.

The Office is tasked with implementing the Secretary-General’s vision for prevention in the region through collaboration with UN and non-UN partners working on peace, security, governance, socio-economic development, and regional integration, and advancing action on climate, peace, and security. It also promotes a joined-up approach by facilitating coordination, information exchange, and initiatives related to Women, Peace and Security, Youth, Peace and Security, Climate, Peace and Security, and efforts to counter hate speech and disinformation. Under the supervision of the Principal Political Affairs Office and overall guidance of the Associate Expert on Climate, Peace and Security, the intern will contribute to analysis, research, coordination and project management tasks related to OSE-Horn’s regional mandate on preventive diplomacy, mediation, and peacebuilding.

Duties and responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the intern will:

• Assist research and analysis on the intersection between climate change, peace, and security dynamics across the Horn of Africa;

• Assist with monitor and analyzing political, social, and security developments relevant to climate risks and conflict trends in the region.

• Assist in tracking and mapping online trends affecting peace and political processes in the region;

• Assist with the preparation of analytical reports, talking points, background papers, and meeting notes.

• Assist in organising and documenting workshops, dialogues, and coordination meetings;

• Assist with project management and tracking;

• Draft summaries and analyses of academic, policy, and media reports relevant to the Office’s thematic priorities;

• Support data collection and visualisation for internal briefings and presentations;

• Proofreading/copyediting of team document, including translation if relevant;

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree).

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and research skills, particularly in political science, international relations, environmental security, or communications;

• Familiarity with the political and security landscape of the Horn of Africa;

• Understanding of the relationship between climate change, conflict, and security.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;

• Proficiency in standard software applications, particularly MS Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Excel. Knowledge of data visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Adobe InDesign) is an asset.

It is desired that applicants demonstrate:

• Awareness of current challenges related to climate, peace and security in the region

• Prior exposure to project management support functions, including updating workplans, monitoring progress against deliverables, and assisting with budget-related tracking. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme.

Your training, education, advanced coursework, or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required;
• knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Additional Information

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents, or not currently in the United States on a non-immigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa and, if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship. For internships outside the United States, interns who are not citizens of the country, permanent residents, or not currently in the country’s non-immigrant visa status will be required to obtain a valid visa and work permit, allowing them to undertake the internship.

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.