Work Location

Bonn, Germany. However, the internship can also be a remote internship, if needed, based on the request of a successful candidate.

Expected duration

3-6 months. Start date can be negotiated: anytime between 1 June 2024 and 30 May 2025.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Numerous additional intergovernmental instruments on migratory species conservation have been adopted under the broad umbrella of CMS which are supported by the CMS Secretariat. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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. In the present context, UNEP provides the administrative functions for the CMS Secretariat. Interns will work at the CMS Secretariat at the Bonn duty station in Germany. However, the internship can also be a remote internship, if needed, based on the request of a successful candidate. CMS is looking for interns for most of the workstreams and units in the Secretariat listed below: • The Aquatic Species Team is responsible for the coordination of several daughter agreements which were established under the umbrella of CMS. This includes binding Agreements (ASCOBANS) and Memoranda of Understanding for specific species or species groups (turtles, sharks & rays, cetaceans, sirenians). Furthermore, the team is in charge of coordinating the implementation of COP Decisions, Resolutions and Concerted Action related to aquatic species. • The Avian Species Team is responsible for the coordination of several daughter agreements which were established under the umbrella of CMS. This includes Memoranda of Understanding for specific species or species groups (Raptors, South American Grassland birds, Andean Flamingos, etc). Furthermore, the team is in charge of coordinating the implementation of COP Decisions, Resolutions and Concerted Action related to avian species. • The Terrestrial Team is responsible for coordinating the implementation of COP Decisions, Resolutions and Concerted Action related to terrestrial species and the cross-cutting issues of pastoralism and infrastructure and impact assessment, among others. This includes the coordination of several initiatives and projects developed to support Parties in implementing the Convention including: the Central Asian Mammals Initiative, the Sahelo-Saharan Megafauna Initiative, the Joint CITES-CMS African Carnivores Initiative, and the Central Asian Mammals and Climate Adaptation project. • The Legal Officer oversees the Secretariat’s work related to compliance and legislation within the National Legislation Programme and Review Mechanism. They offer guidance on procedural matters before and during meetings, address administrative concerns, and Accessibility provide legal counsel concerning Convention implementation. Additionally, they assist the Standing Committee and support countries in acceding to the Convention. • The Scientific Officer is responsible for organising meetings of the Scientific Council, providing scientific advice to Parties, maintaining the species appendices of the Convention and working on a number of issues cutting across the other CMS teams. • The Partnerships Officer works with other UN bodies, Convention Secretariats, NGOs and the private sector to advance synergies with the work of CMS. They also work with Donor Governments. • The Information Management, Communications and Awareness-raising Unit (shared between the CMS and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) Secretariats) is responsible for the overall external communications activities (including media relations, design, social media, production of communication material and campaigns such as the World Migratory Bird Day), and information and knowledge management, including website administration. The internship is for a minimum of three (3) months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of six (6) months, depending on the needs of the Organization. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period. Under the supervision of the relevant Programme Officer, tasks during the internship may include the following: assist with the implementation of Decisions adopted at 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS (COP14), prepare documents for meetings, correspondence and presentations, conduct research and compile information, assist in preparation and follow-up of meetings and workshops, participate in meetings and take notes, contribute to various communications products, and in occasion, manage document storage. Some of the team-specific tasks are listed below. Under the supervision of the Head of the Aquatic Species Team, during the internship may include the following additional tasks: • Undertake literature reviews on marine mammals, sharks, rays or turtle species of concern for CMS and ASCOBANS or threats that are affecting them; • Contribute to tasks related to Memoranda of Understanding for aquatic species, such as the Sharks MOU, IOSEA Marine Turtles MOU, and the Pacific Islands Cetaceans MOU; • Assist in the preparation of communication and outreach materials, including website content. Under the supervision of the Head of the Avian Species Team, tasks during the internship may include the following: • Carry out a review of the CMS COP14 Decisions linked to flyways, and more specifically on CMS Resolution 12.11 (Rev.COP14) and support the definition of a new Programme of Work for the CMS Working Group on Flyways; • Support the Avian Team in quantifying and prioritizing the top actions needed to strengthen its work on this topic, with a view of implementing ambitious actions that deliver concrete and tangible action to protect migratory birds along their global flyways; • Carry out an analysis of the key threats affecting flyways and propose synergies with other existing CMS Avian task forces, namely the Americas Flyways Framework Task Force, The Energy Task Force (ETF) and the Asia-Pacific, Mediterranean and South West Asia Illegal Taking Task Forces. Under the supervision of the Head of the Terrestrial Species Team, tasks during the internship may include the following: • Compile background information and literature reviews for internal documents on conservation issues of relevance for terrestrial mammals in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, as needed, including but not limited to such topics as infrastructure as a barrier to migration, transboundary conservation of migratory species, protected areas, pastoralism in wildlife habitat and other species-specific conservation topics; • Research funding opportunities for the implementation of decisions and programmes of work under the Team’s responsibility; • Under joint supervision with the Coordinator of the Communications team, develop a video on African Wild Ass for awareness-raising in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Under the supervision of the Legal Officer, tasks during the internship may include the following: • Assist in the preparation of presentations and materials under the National Legislation Programme, the Review Mechanism and any other legal-related matters; • Compile background information and literature reviews for internal documents, including but not limited to interpretation of the Convention, Resolutions and rules of procedures, and legal instruments for the implementation of the Convention at the national level; • Draft background documents, fact sheets, letters, PowerPoint presentations, and other formal communication products to promote accession to the CMS. Under the supervision of the Scientific Officer, tasks during the internship may include the following: • Provide support to the CMS Scientific Council and its Working Groups, including the Task Force on Avian Influenza, in particular organising meetings, preparing meeting documents, and following up on their recommendations; • Review the format of National Reports and propose changes to align it with the Strategic Plan on Migratory Species, and to include new areas such as wildlife health and climate change; • Contribute to review and improvement of online databases of species listed in CMS Appendices. Under the supervision of the Partnerships Officer, tasks during the internship may include the following: • Assist in the preparation of presentations and materials for sharing at meetings of other relevant bodies; • Analyze documents prepared for other UN bodies, and compile CMS speaking notes for such meetings; • Assist in the development of Donor Agreements, including details on CMS activities to be funded. Under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Joint CMS & AEWA Information Management, Communications and Awareness-raising Unit, tasks during the internship may include the following: • Assist in implementing the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) Campaign with the drafting of articles, daily correspondence with event organizers, helping with logistics, social media, research and content creation; • Assist in the day-to-day management of the various CMS and AEWA social media channels (X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and support the dissemination of material to the press; • Support the development of audio-visual and multimedia products (video clips, animations, graphics, podcasts) for social media.

Qualifications/special skills

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 or equivalent). Preferred area of study for this internship: biology, ecology, zoology, environmental studies, international relations/policy, political sciences, geography, international law, communications, media studies, journalism, or related fields. Applicants must: • Be computer literate in standard software applications. • Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter. • 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.

Languages

English is the working language of the CMS Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of French, Spanish or Russian is desirable.

Additional Information

Your application for this internship must include: 1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note / Motivation Statement must include: • Indication of which unit you would be interested to do your internship in; • Title of the degree you have or are currently pursuing; • Graduation date; • IT skills and programmes you are proficient in; • Explanation on your interest in an internship at the UN; • Explanation why you are the best candidate for this specific internship; • Preferred start date, number of months you are available for, and whether you can do the internship in-person or remotely. 2. Proof of enrollment from current University (if not graduated). 3. A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated). Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration. Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

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.