Work Location

In-person

Expected duration

18/03/24 – 18/09/24

Duties and Responsibilities

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. Advances in early warning systems and preparedness have saved tens of thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars. People-centered, end-to-end, multi-hazard early-warning systems can help minimize the harm to people, assets, and livelihoods by triggering early action that is well prepared and tested. Yet, as of 2022, only half of countries globally are protected by multi-hazard early warning systems. The numbers are even lower for developing countries; less than half of the Least Developed Countries and only one-third of Small Island Developing States have a multi-hazard early warning system. To address this challenge, in March 2022, the UN Secretary General launched the the Early Warnings for All initiative (EW4All) which calls for every person on Earth to be protected by early warning systems by 2027. The initiative is co-led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Pillar 1 of the initiative, which focuses on disaster risk knowledge, is led by UNDRR, and aims to enhance global risk knowledge and integrate it into inclusive, accessible, and effective early warning systems. Activities under Pillar 1 will focus on strengthening the production, access, dissemination, and use of risk information, fostering stronger stakeholder coordination, promoting innovation, and empowering decision-makers and vulnerable communities to understand, identify, and respond to risks. The internship is for a duration of up to 6 months and is based in the UNDRR Office in Geneva. The internship is unpaid and full-time in-person. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer working on the Early Warnings for All Initiative, within the Risk Knowledge Branch (RKB) of UNDRR. Responsibilities: Responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background and the period during which he/she will undertake the internship. Indicative responsibilities include: • Assists in drafting and preparing background documents, reports, issue briefs, talking points, PowerPoint presentations etc. including desk-based research for the Early Warnings for All Initiative • Assists in meeting preparation, including preparing agendas, minutes, follow-up, etc. • Assists in managing information and maintenance of databases • Maintains regular contact with UN agencies, funds and programmes working on Early Warnings for all and supports the organization of inter-agency meetings and consultations • Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources to support risk analysis and early warning system design • Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g., newsletters, talking points, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Performs additional duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations, 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 level or equivalent).

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.