Environment And Disaster Management Intern null

Your role

The internship will cover the following countries: Bangladesh, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Philippines, Fiji.

Project objectives:

Nature-based solutions (NbS), are actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use, and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems, which address social, economic, and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services and resilience and biodiversity benefits (UNEA5, 2022)

They can include the protection and restoration of forests and mangroves, agroforestry, the conservation or restoration of wetlands, or the creation of urban green spaces... These approaches have recently gained much traction as they address both climate adaptation and mitigation challenges, among many other benefits, such as Disaster Risk Reduction.

NbS is a priority area of work for the IFRC. The IFRC Plan and Budget 2021-2025 recognizes the importance of NbS under the Strategic Priority on Climate and Environmental Crises. NbS is also a focus of the IFRC's Global Climate Resilience Platform, which aims to catalyze accelerated investment and support for locally-led climate action that reaches the most vulnerable.

For years, National Societies in the Asia-Pacific region have been working with nature in a variety of community support activities and today they are looking to position themselves as key players in the region. To do so it is necessary to have a clear picture of the regulatory framework they will be working in at the national level, and specifically how Nature-based solutions are considered in the Disaster Risk Reduction legal framework.

Job duties and responsibilities:

Design a screening tool to assess the legal framework of five countries on the use of nature in disaster risk reduction:

• National DL framework assessment, hazard selection vs multi-hazards, legal definitions used, policy level (national vs local), NbS uses categorization (how it is seen by the government: Conservation, restoration, etc..) , Community engagement / Indigenous knowledge.
• The tools should allow identifying Legislative, and institutional gaps and barriers.
• Conduct literature research related to regulatory frameworks for the use of Nature-based Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction in the 5 selected countries.
• Produce a comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks for the use of Nature-based Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction in the 5 selected countries.
• Produce a database of key documents analyzed.

About you

Education / Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree (completed or in process) is required, with focus in any combination of communications, environmental/natural resources management, conservation sciences, urban planning, climate change, disaster/emergency management, and/or development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree and/or work experience in environmental/natural resources management, conservation sciences, urban planning, climate change, disaster/emergency management and/or development is preferred but not required.

Experience

• Experience working with local government, environmental policy topics is a plus.

Knowledge, skills and languages:

• Excellent research and written/oral communications skills.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills. Strong computer skills, especially Microsoft Office, Word Press or other website platforms.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous projects and work independently.
• Curiosity, creative and innovative thinking.
• A commitment to the mission, goals and values of IFRC.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Deployment conditions and duration

• Home based, 3 months starting July 2024, extendable if required.

Reporting Lines

• IFRC APRO Regional Disaster Law and Engagement Coordinator IFRC APRO Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator

Benefits

• Gain exposure to high-profile conferences, political decision-making, and fieldwork
• Contribute to United Nations projects and mandates
• Enhance educational experience through practical work
• Deepen understanding of UN goals, principles, and activities
• Network with international professionals
• Receive academic credit from your institution

Training & development

Interns at the UN receive valuable training and development opportunities, enhancing their educational experience through practical assignments. They deepen their understanding of the organization's goals and principles while working in an international environment, networking with professionals, and providing assistance in their areas of expertise.

Learning objectives:

• Further understanding of the relationship between environmental issues and disasters, including but not limited to environmentally responsible disaster risk reduction, and nature-based and natural resource management issues related to the built environment.
• Strengthen research and communication skills.
• Experience working in a dynamic, collaborative team.

Career progression

An internship at the UN provides valuable exposure to high-profile conferences and decision-making processes, offering hands-on work experience and the chance to contribute to important projects. While it doesn't guarantee employment, it can lead to opportunities in General Service or consultancy positions. Candidates aiming for higher-level roles should wait six months post-internship, ensuring they meet the educational and work experience criteria for those positions.

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• careers.un.org
• careers.un.org/job-level
• youtube.com.