About UNEP RONA’s Interns

The United Nations Environment Programme’s Regional Office for North America (UNEP RONA) has been welcoming interns from around the world for more than five years. Interns, both full and part time, are very important to this organization as they work closely with staff members in accomplishing the mission of UNEP.

UNEP RONA’s Internship Program

UNEP is looking for undergraduate and graduate-level students interested in an internship with its Regional Office for North America (RONA) located in Washington, D.C.

UNEP RONA has four types of internships available: communications, government affairs, environment research and environment policy.  Interns work on a range of diverse topics, interact closely with core staff members, and are given responsibilities based on their experience and skills.  Everyone is expected to pitch in to assist on any project or activity in need of immediate attention.

Full-time interns are preferred, but part-time interns will be considered during the fall and spring academic semesters.

The Communications Intern's responsibilities may include the following:

• Assisting the Director, Senior Communications Officer and other staff members in the timely delivery of materials and information to members of the media, Congress, and other key stakeholders;
• Assisting Senior Communications Officer in organization and preparation for special events;
• Assisting with outreach programs and activities;
• Undertaking research for speeches and presentations;
• Preparing advocacy materials;
• Updating and maintaining mailing/contact lists of media, members of Congress, embassies and other UNEP partners;
• Checking daily media coverage (Washington Post, NYT, Roll Call, Internet) for relevant UNEP and/or UN-related issues;
• Attending and reporting back in writing on briefings or meetings relevant to US office interests on the Hill and other institutions;
• Assisting in certain RONA administrative office duties when necessary;
• Any other communications-related duties as required.

Qualifications for a Communications Internship:

• Background in communications and/or journalism preferred;
• Excellent writing and editing skills;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated interest in the environment;
• Computer literacy, especially with MS Word and Excel;
• Strong organizational skills and administrative capabilities;
• Ability to work creatively, independently and as a team member;
• Ability to work full-time (35 hours a week);
• Attention to detail.

The Government Affairs Intern's responsibilities may include the following:

• Assisting the Director and other staff members with outreach to the U.S. and Canadian governments;
• Assisting staff with the organization and preparation for events related to government affairs;
• Assisting with outreach to various UNEP stakeholders;
• Undertaking policy and/or legal research;
• Preparing advocacy materials;
• Drafting memorandums and researching a variety of topics;
• Attending and reporting back in writing on briefings or meetings relevant to UNEP interests on Capitol Hill and other institutions;
• Assisting in certain RONA administrative office duties when necessary;
• Any other government affairs-related duties as required.

Qualifications for a Government Affairs Internship:

• Background in environmental studies, international relations, international development, political science, environmental policy or law preferred;
• Graduate-level interns will be given preference;
• Excellent writing and editing skills;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated interest in the environment;
• Experience working with either the U.S. or Canadian government is a plus (but not required);
• Knowledge of the U.S. Congress, its structures and processes is a plus (but not required);
• Computer literacy, especially with MS Word and Excel;
• Strong organizational skills and administrative capabilities;
• Ability to work creatively, independently and as a team member;
• Ability to work full-time (35 hours a week);
• Attention to detail.

Environment Research Intern’s responsibilities may include the following:

• Assisting the Director, UNEP DEWA Regional Coordinator, and other staff members with advanced academic research on environment-related topics, and in staff projects/presentations;
• Attending and reporting back in writing on briefings or meetings relevant to US office interests on the Hill and other institutions;
• Assisting in outreach to the academic, governmental, and NGO communities;
• Drafting memorandums;
• Assisting in certain RONA administrative office duties when necessary.

Qualifications for an Environment Research internship:

• Background in advanced environmental studies and sciences (advanced degree preferred); cross-cutting scientific understanding of major environmental issues;
• Ability to create scientific reports on wide ranging environment-related topics;
• Excellent communication and writing skills;
• Good time-management skills for timely delivery of projects;
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and as a team-worker;
• Computer literacy to undertake basic statistical data analysis and in creation of charts/graphs for reports and presentations;
• Knowledge of other relevant software such as GIS would be a plus, but not required.

The Environment Policy Intern's responsibilities may include the following:

• Assisting Programme Officers with climate change, and resource efficiency projects, and ecosystems management, including UNEP’s work on sustainable consumption and production and sustainable buildings and cities;
• Assisting with outreach to various UNEP stakeholders;
• Attending and reporting back in writing on meetings or conferences;
• Undertaking research on a variety of topics and drafting reports;
• Assisting in certain UNEP RONA administrative office duties when necessary;

Qualifications for an Environment Policy Internship:

• Background in environmental studies, international relations, international development, political science, or environmental policy preferred; 
• Excellent writing and editing skills;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated interest in the environment;
• Strong organizational skills and administrative capabilities;
• Ability to work creatively, independently and as a team member;
• Ability to work full-time (35 hours a week);

Application Procedure

Applications can be mailed to:

United Nations Environment Programme
Regional Office For North America
Attn: Internship Application
900 17th Street, NW, Suite 506
Washington, D.C. 20006 USA

Email Contact: Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, elisabeth.guilbaud-cox@unep.org

Electronic Applications are Preferred

Applications must include:

• A detailed CV or completed internship programme application form; (download form below)
• A written statement explaining why an internship with RONA is being sought and what is expected from the experience; and
• A cover letter indicating specific dates of availability and other information felt to be relevant

Failure to provide a complete internship application may result in your application not being considered.

Application Calendar for Internships with UNEP RONA:

Payment, Liability, Insurance, Visas and Clearance

The Internship Programme operates on a non-remunerative basis. All costs connected with internships must, therefore, be borne by the interns or their sponsoring institutions or governments. This includes costs relating to travel, living and accommodation. The following stipulations should be noted with regard to insurance coverage:

• UNEP accepts no responsibility or liability for costs arising from damages, travel, accident and/or illness incurred during an Internship. Interns are therefore asked to submit in advance:
• A medical certificate stating that he/she is in good health;
• Valid proof of coverage by a medical insurance plan, as the United Nations Medical Insurance Plan does not cover interns.

For prospective interns from outside of the United States, it is UN policy that obtaining visas is the sole responsibility of the intern.  This can be a lengthy process.  If accepted as a RONA intern, do not delay in pursuing your visa(s).  We regret to say that RONA cannot be of any assistance beyond providing original letters of acceptance and copies of internship agreements as proof.

Administration and Supervision of Interns

Applicants may receive a standard reply confirming receipt of your internship application. Due to the volume of applications we receive, you will be contacted personally only if RONA wishes to actively pursue your application.

Once selected by RONA, prior to travel, applicants will be asked to complete and send a signed Internship Agreement (see below).

At the end of the assignment and after discussions together, the supervisor should indicate whether the objectives of the Internship Agreement were met. If so, interns may be issued a standard letter of reference covering the period of Internship with RONA and area of work. The supervisor has the option of adding additional comments or observations.

Internship Agreement: Conditions Governing the Internship Programme at UNEP/RONA

Once confirmed as an intern by the UN, I accept the internship, and I am aware of the following:

• That my internship will not be remunerated by UNEP/RONA and that all the expenses connected with it must be borne by me or my sponsoring institution or government;
• That there is no expectancy of employment at the end of my internship;
• That UNEP/RONA accepts no responsibility for accidents and/or illness incurred during my stay;
• That UNEP/RONA does not deal with immigration authorities in the USA and, therefore, I am responsible for obtaining any necessary visas on my own.

I am prepared to undertake the following obligations:

• To conduct myself at all times in a manner compatible with my responsibilities as a holder of the UNEP/RONA internship programme and to avoid any activity that is incompatible with the discharge of my duties for UNEP/RONA;
• To exercise the utmost discretion in all matters of official business of UNEP/RONA;
• To refrain from communicating at any time to any other person or authority external to UNEP/RONA any information known to me by reason of my internship attachment with UNEP/RONA which has not been made public, except in the course of my duties or by authorization of UNEP/RONA; and to refrain from using such information to private advantage;
• To keep confidential any and all unpublished information made known to me in the course of my internship and not to publish any reports or papers on the basis of information obtained during the length of my programme, except upon the authorization of UNEP/RONA;
• To extend all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to, or is made in consequence of, the services provided to UNEP/RONA by me;
• To assist UNEP/RONA in securing such property and transferring them to UNEP/RONA in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law;
• To arrange for my own transport to and from UNEP/RONA;
• To provide notice to RONA's Administrative Officer in case of illness or other unavoidable circumstances which might prevent me from fulfilling my obligations;
• To report for an exit interview before the expiry date of my internship.

I hereby confirm that if I am accepted for the Internship Programme, I agree with the terms and conditions stated above.

Please download the internship application:

Text Document (71k)

N.B. You may be requested to supply documentary evidence, which supports the statements you have made above. Do not, however, send any document or evidence until you have been asked to do so by UNEP/RONA and, in any event, do not submit the original text of references or testimonials unless they have been obtained for the sole use of UNEP/RONA. Applications will not, as a general rule, be valid or be retained by UNEP/RONA for more than six months from date of receipt.