Intern in Environment and Human Rights

Work LocationDakar, Senegal Expected duration6 months - desired start date 1 September Duties and ResponsibilitiesAs the leading UN entity on human rights, OHCHR has an independent mandate to promote and protect human rights across the world and to mainstream human rights throughout the UN system. OHCHR’s normative mandate, its expertise, convening power and partnerships, and its role as custodian of the human rights mechanisms (treaty bodies, special procedures and Universal Periodic Review), uniquely position the Office to support ambitious, rights-based environmental action. OHCHR-WARO’s regional program for 2024 – 2027 identified integrating human rights in Sustainable Development as one of the key priorities. Under this pillar WARO aims to strengthen its work on addressing human rights risks and impacts related to environment, climate change and business activities in accordance with relevant international norms and standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The internship will take place within the West Africa Regional Office, based in Dakar, Senegal. The intern will report to the Deputy Regional Representative under general supervision of the Regional Representative. The intern will provide WARO with assistance in substantive areas of its work on Environment, Climate Change, Business and Human Rights and Sustainable Environment Management. Tasks will include: 1. Conduct research on substantive areas of work related to environment, climate change, business and human rights. 2. Monitor developments in West Africa related to environmental crises, effects of climate change and their human rights impacts. 3. Support the drafting of a range of materials including concept notes, stakeholder mapping, reports, briefings, and talking points. 4. Support the organization of activities on issues related to environment, climate change, business and human rights. 5. Support efforts to strengthen OHCHR WARO work to advance the right to a healthy environment at the regional level. 6. Follow and support OHCHR WARO engagement in a range of meetings, consultations, and briefings. 7. Follow and support OHCHR WARO efforts to implement sustainable environmental management. Qualifications/special skillsApplicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme in Law, International relations, Political Science, Development or related subject (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme in Law, International relations, Political Science, Development or related subject (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). 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. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme. 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. Knowledge in the field of human rights and/or the environment is desirable. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written French is required for the internship. Good knowledge of English is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. Intern Specific textInterns 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 FeeTHE 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.