Intern - Climate Change and Country engagement work

The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency was established in 2015 at the Paris Conference of the Parties (COP) to support implementation of the Paris Agreement and its Enhanced Transparency Framework.

ICAT provides countries with tailored support and practical tools and methodologies to build robust transparency frameworks needed for effective climate action in sync with national development priorities. The projects ICAT supports relate to building or enhancing transparency systems for mitigation actions; building a monitoring approach for adaptation actions; implementing and further delivering nationally determined contributions; assessing the impacts of policies related to climate action; integrating and/or aggregating climate actions at the subnational level and for non-state actors; and identifying and increasing domestic benefits and synergies from enhanced climate action.

ICAT offers a range of methodologies and guides to assist countries. The Initiative works with over 50 developing countries ranging from large countries, like China, to small islands, such as Antigua & Barbuda.

ICAT is managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the ICAT Director, the incumbent will be responsible for performing a variety of administrative functions, providing support to the Director and the ICAT team, including the management of the ICAT office in Bonn, and for conducting background research on aspects related to the operations of ICAT and potential partnerships, ensuring high quality and accuracy of work.

• Conduct background research on country-specific information such as climate policies and actions, NDCs and other climate change related reports and information, including  those submitted to the UNFCCC, and GHG emission data;
• Assist analysis and assessment of the background research and the various initiatives and partnerships  and their contribution to the implementation of national transparency frameworks;
• Prepare background notes and talking points prior to meetings with countries and other stakeholders;
• Support note-taking at country meetings, events, and workshops in English and French and possibly Spanish;
• Support the selection process for new ICAT partner countries and a new Regional Hub;
• Assist in the preparation of presentations, tables and reports, extracting data from various sources;
• Perform any other duties as required based on ICAT Secretariat’s needs.

• The incumbent should be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor or Masters OR have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the applications date of the internship and be in possession of a residence permit or nationality permitting them to stay and conduct the internship in Germany during the full time of the internship
• Area of study should preferably relate to climate change, economics or development studies combined with environmental or climate change experience.
   

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.