Work Location

Berne, Switzerland

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) postal network spans 192 member countries. Its designated postal operators employ five million people, who deliver almost three hundred billion postal items each year. This global network is trusted to provide essential services to the most isolated of communities, using hundreds of thousands of post offices and vehicles, as well as an expanding digital infrastructure, and service portfolio. Operating these assets comes at a climate cost, but this network also has huge potential to support climate mitigation and resilience within broader society. During its Extraordinary Congress in 2023, the UPU approved resolution C 7/2023, which aims to dramatically reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the UPU network, increase its resilience to climate disruption, and to develop innovative climate services. This transformation will be driven through a new entity – the UPU Climate Facility. The main objective of the traineeship within the Sustainability Services Programme at the Sustainability and Financial Services Unit of the Directorate of Policy, Regulation and Markets will contribute to three core areas of the Facility: enhancing climate investment in postal infrastructure, bolstering the climate knowledge base of the postal community, and fostering supportive policy environments. The trainee will also be assisting the Programme Manager and Sustainability Services Experts while performing secretariat duties and tasks for the Sustainable Postal Services Group, if required. The suggested duration of the traineeship is 6 months. Details of traineeship: The trainee will be required to: – Monitor and Compile Climate Finance Information: Track global climate finance flows and compile data on postal operators’ climate finance practices. – Assist in Climate Finance Pilot Group Activities: Facilitate onboarding of pilot group members and collect inputs for climate finance readiness assessments. – Support Cross-Departmental Climate Projects: Participate in the coordination with different UPU departments to assist in joint climate finance initiatives. – Contribute to Climate Knowledge Development: Engage with knowledge partners and compile best practices in key climate impact areas associated with postal networks like renewable energy, green transport, climate resilience, circular economy and sustainable e-commerce. – Facilitate the Secretariat Support for UPU Sustainability Initiatives: a. Assist in organizing stakeholder consultations b. Contribute to the production of communications materials

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, International Law, Public Policy, Public Administration, Sustainable Development, Environmental Science, Communications or a related area. c. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Technical knowledge and experience: – Work experience as an assistant in an international environment is an asset. – Knowledge in project / programme management, economic or policy research in the context of sustainability both at the national as well as global level is desirable. – Be computer literate in standard software applications.

Languages

English or French – Proficiency in one language and ability to communicate in the other language. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Additional Information

In line with UPU rules, this traineeship is reserved EXCLUSIVELY for STUDENTS. Any other candidate profile will not be considered. Recent graduates in the areas described above are also invited to apply. They must have graduated within six months of the date of this announcement. The traineeship will be remunerated in accordance with current UPU Human Resources rules.

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.