UNEP : CMS Intern – Aquatic Species Team – Bonn

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    INTERN
  • Posted:
    6 days ago
  • Category:
    Administration
  • Deadline:
    11/02/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

Work Location
Bonn, Germany
Expected duration
3-6 months
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. CMS is looking for interns to support the Aquatic Species Team, which 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 and Resolutions and supporting the proponents of Concerted Actions related to aquatic species (freshwater and marine). 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 the Head of CMS Aquatic Species Team. Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period. Under the supervision of Programme Officer / CMS Aquatic Species Team, tasks during the internship may include the following: • undertake literature reviews on marine mammals, sharks, rays or turtle species of concern for CMS and ASCOBANS or threats that are affecting them; • assist with compiling information on national, regional and international legal status of marine species; • undertake data analyses and visualization of data related to the international trade in marine species, fisheries data or other relevant data; • contribute to the preparation of background documents for meetings of CMS, ASCOBANS and aquatic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs); • assist in the preparation of publications, presentations and other outreach material, including content for the websites; • contribute to the development of strategies and action plans; • assist in the preparation and follow-up of meetings and workshops; • assist with the development of project proposals for fundraising; • assist with the implementation of projects; • assist with the implementation of Decisions taken at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS (COP14); • assist with the substantial preparations (e.g. drafting of documents) for the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15); • assist with the development of capacity-building materials (e.g. videos, presentations, handouts) for physical and online workshops and courses; • participate at appropriate meetings of the CMS and ASCOBANS Secretariats; • contribute to tasks related to Memoranda of Understanding for aquatic species (for example: Sharks MOU, IOSEA Marine Turtles MOU or the Pacific Islands Cetaceans MOU); • assist with the implementation of other aspects of the Secretariats’ work programmes.
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); (c) have graduated from a university no more than 12 months prior to the start of the internship. Preferred area of study for this internship: A degree programme in biology, ecology, zoology, environmental studies, international relations/policy, political sciences, geography, international law, communications, media studies, journalism, or related fields. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Do you meet this criterion? If yes, please indicate your field of study. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications. Do you meet this criterion? If yes, please describe the software you are familiar with.
Languages
English is the working language of the CMS Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of French or Spanish 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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements