Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS hosts Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Secretariat/Programme in Vienna, Austria. Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an independent organization with a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. We work at the intersection of energy, climate, and development. We collaborate with governments and partners worldwide to end energy poverty, accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions, and combat climate change.

Our vision is a world where everyone, everywhere, can lead a dignified life on a healthy planet, powered by sustainable energy. We promote this vision by pushing for higher ambitions, stronger policies, greater finance flows, increased localization and green jobs, and faster results toward an energy transition that leaves no one behind.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Since then, our CEO has served as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy.

This position is located within the Executive Office team. The main objective of Executive Office is to provide support to the CEO/SRSG, the leadership team and the Administrative Board to ensure efficient and effective leadership, implementation of organization’s strategic direction and collaboration across the organization and teams.

The Assignment’s specific objectives will be set taking into account the skills, expertise and personal interests of the selected internship candidate.

Functional Responsibilities

Main duties and tasks

• Supporting the executive office with background memos and preparation of pre-meeting material.
• Supporting other members of the Executive Office with scheduling and handling incoming correspondence.
• Providing logistical support for the SRSG’s diplomatic engagements.
• Outreach to invitees for ministerial meetings
• Other tasks and duties may be required.

Learning Objectives

This internship provides hands-on experience and growth opportunities in the following areas:

• Written and oral communication in a professional, executive-level environment enhanced through the preparation of background memos and pre-meeting materials
• Meeting and database management, through experience in scheduling, coordinating, and organizing meetings, with exposure to tools and systems used for high-level engagement.
• Exposure to energy access and sustainable development issues, particularly related to SDG 7, through active involvement in the preparation and logistical support for meetings and engagements focusing on these topics.
• Direct experience in diplomatic engagement logistics, through involvement in the organization of high-level meetings, and providing logistical and communication support to senior leadership.
• Deeper understanding the role of SEforALL in global governance and policy-making, with a focus on energy access, efficiency and sustainability

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Applicants should have recently (in the last 3 years) graduated with a first level or advanced university degree (Bachelors, Masters or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Communications, Public Policy, International Relations or related field

Experience

• Applicants are not required to have prior work experience, however prior experience in experience with the UN, governmental agencies or other international organization is desirable
• Familiarity with energy access, transition or topics related to Sustainable Development Goal 7 is desirable

Language

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
Contract type, level and duration – Internship