The objective of this internship is to support the regional “Disasters and Conflicts” programme to expand in quality and scope, through research and analysis support to the regional humanitarian affairs officer and the consultant facilitator/researcher.

The Internship Programme is for a six-month period (considering the scale and complexity of the programme, internship and learning would be difficult to achieve to a rewarding level in less than that time) and will be under the direct supervision of the Regional Humanitarian Affairs Officer of the Latin America and the Caribbean Office.

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours).

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period.

The main activities to be carried out within the framework of this internship are: Emergency preparedness and response:

Emergency preparedness and response

• Following completion of online training, update the format of the FEAT impact tables to easy the mapping process for specific countries when requested, and conduct remote “FEAT” impact assessments for key countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. In case of rapid-onset emergency, conduct or immediately update FEAT impact tables for the affected country or area;
• Using GIS programmes (e.g. ArcGIS) or graphic design/CAD, develop FEAT scenario maps based on FEAT impact tables developed – potentially also other scenario maps such as plume maps using Marplot or Aloha;
• In the event of a rapid-onset emergency, act as information officer for the environmental dimensions of the emergency, analysing reports and information coming out of the affected area and interpreting them with an “environmental lens” to identify possible environmental issues or potential situations of pollution or environmental risk, keeping the relevant parts of UN Environment informed accordingly and developing information sheets or infographics and press releases for publication (UN Environment website and Redhum.org);
• Conduct secondary research on ongoing emergency responses in the region to identify the environmental dimensions of the emergency and potential environmental “footprint” of the international response;
• Create / maintain contacts lists for relevant environment and civil protection focal points in regional governments and intergovernmental organisations, especially during periods of higher hazard impact risk (e.g. Caribbean and Central America hurricane season, South America flood and fire seasons).

Regional Environment and Emergencies Preparedness Network:

• Assist in drafting the communications and in the creation of the meetings minutes regarding the Environment and Emergencies Preparedness Network for Latin America and Caribbean;
• Support in information gathering, research and analysis to draft the Action Plan for the Environment and Emergencies Preparedness Network for Latin America and Caribbean.

Project research:

• Conduct secondary data research to support the development of baselines / needs assessments, concept notes, proposals or policy briefs;
• Support in the research process of finding the latest and available guidance related to environment in humanitarian action and assist in classifying them. This may include research to improve the quality and depth of training events or tools and guidance developed within new or existing projects.

Monitoring and reporting:

• Support the development of the monthly Disasters and Conflicts bulletin, taking the lead on bulletin development with support from the regional humanitarian affairs officer;
• Develop indicators and tools to help future interns identify the environmental dimensions of common humanitarian crises in the region, strengthen analysis and early warning;
• Develop / update database of programme activities, projects and emergency deployments and their contribution to global frameworks (SDGs, Sendai Framework, Agenda for Humanity, others);
• Draft inputs for quarterly report to Committee of Permanent Representatives;
• Update programme coordination systems with current and future projects and project closures;
• Maintain team shared drives with appropriately named and classified information for future teams, programme development, emergency response and research.

Coordination:

• Participate in emergency coordination groups. This may include representing UNEP and presenting relevant information to participants if the regional humanitarian affairs officer has been de ployed to an emergency;
• Participate in the Environment in Humanitarian Action Network, chaired by the UNEP/OCHA Joint Unit (based in Geneva);
• May contribute to the development of country UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, depending on circumstances of the internship.

Communications:

• Proactively identify opportunities to keep the UNEP regional webpages on Disasters and Conflicts and other relevant websites up to date with information highlighting the relationship between environment and emergencies and the most recent activities of the programme;