Sustainable Development Intern-New York, NY
Organization: World Federation of United Nations Associations
Position Title: Sustainable Development Intern
Location: New York, NY
Hours & Compensation: unpaid. 40hours/week
Application Deadline: Not listed
General Overview:
The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) is a global nonprofit organization working for a stronger and more effective United Nations. Established in 1946, we represent and coordinate a membership of over 100 United Nations Associations and their thousands of members. We work to build a better world by strengthening and improving the United Nations, through the engagement of people who share a global mindset and support international cooperation – global citizens. Our organization has offices at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva and hosts interns in both locations.
Youth Impact Africa Program: According to the United Nations, current trends indicate that no African country will achieve the Goals by 2015. Our current project to address the troubling status of the MDGs is YOUth Impact: Africa. The project aims to contribute to the achievement of the MDGs in the region through youth-led community service projects. YOUth Impact: Africa will raise awareness about MDGs, actively engage African youth with these issues through Model UN, and empower them to become change agents themselves.
Post-2015 Development Agenda: The Post-2015 Development Agenda is an ongoing and comprehensive process involving actors at multiple levels in the discussion on how to approach the next set of sustainable development goals.
Position Description – Sustainable Development Intern
The Sustainable Development Intern will provide support for WFUNA’s sustainable development programs – primarily focusing on the YOUth Impact Africa project and the Post-2015 development agenda – in cooperation with key program officers and WFUNA staff members. These responsibilities will include the following:
- Fundraising: Researching potential government and foundation prospects and drafting project proposals and Letters of Inquiry, for YOUth Impact: Africa
- Post-2015: keeping up-to-date on the MDGs and related UN processes in the Post-2015 development agenda, including preparing for and engaging with various civil society, government, and UN actors. This also includes working with the program supervisor on producing and editing digital content on the Post-2015 process.
- Program development: Submitting the YOUth Impact: African project proposal, adding input and ideas, creating an outreach strategy
- Implementing the program: reaching out to UNAs, securing a host, putting together materials and resources on the topic, and organizing logistics for the Model UN component
- Additional responsibilities may include:
- Representing WFUNA at meetings, and staying updated on development issues at the United Nations, sharing relevant information with the YOUth Impact Africa/Post-2015 network and interested UNAs
- Reporting to the WFUNA Secretary-General on sustainable development issues at the UN in coordination with the Climate Change Intern
- Contributing content to the website, participating in a monthly-assigned news scan, and managing social media with the assigned staff member
- Assisting with some administrative duties at the office
Intern opportunities
The WFUNA Secretariat is located at UN Headquarters in New York. The Sustainable Development Intern will have access to the United Nations building, conferences and events and resources such as the UN Library.
This position offers an excellent networking opportunity – the Sustainable Development Intern will be able to make contact with UN staff, diplomats, UNA members, academics, and NGOs in the development community, and meet other interns from around the world who are working at the UN.
This position may be eligible for course credit from the academic institution in which the Sustainable Development Intern is currently enrolled, provided the position description meets the criteria for credit set forth by the academic institution.
Requirements:
Prior coursework/academic background and/or practical experience in the field of sustainable development is a must.
Familiarity with the African region is a strong asset. Preference will be given to candidates with prior UNA experience.
Familiarity of the UN system and the Post-2015 process is beneficial. Strong writing, drafting and computer skills are necessary.
Fluency in English is required; knowledge of a foreign language (especially French and Spanish) is a plus.
How to apply:
Please visit www.wfuna.org/intern and follow the instructions on the page. Due to visa restrictions, preference will be given to applicants with valid visas to work in the United States.
Beginning/end dates of internship are flexible.
