Internship
The United Nations Environment Programme’s International Environmental Technology Centre (UNEP IETC) has been welcoming interns from around the world since 2009. Interns are very important to this organization as they work closely with staff members in accomplishing the mission of UNEP.
IETC’s Internship Program
UNEP IETC is looking for undergraduate and graduate-level students interested in an internship with IETC located in Osaka.
IETC has internships in the areas of Waste Management related Research and Environment related Research. Interns will interact closely with core staff members, and are given responsibilities based on his/her experience and skills. Everyone is expected to pitch in to assist on any project or activity in need of immediate attention. Excellent written and spoken English is a requirement.
Full-time interns are preferred, but part-time interns will be considered.
Waste Management related Research Intern’s responsibilities may include the following:
- Assisting the members of "Waste Management" team, and other staff members with advanced academic research on environment-related topics focused on waste management, and in staff projects/presentations;
- Assisting with one or more of waste management related topics including Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM), 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle), WEEE / E-waste, Waste Agricultural Biomass and Waste Plastics;
- Assisting with one or more waste management areas of work including inventory, management system, management plan, guidelines for inventorization and management system, stakeholders issues, compendium of technologies and compendium of policies, converting waste into material and/or energy source, training materials including audio-video and e-learning, and Global Platform on Waste Management covering information clearing house, policy and partner dialogues, demonstration projects and support for international conventions and treaties such as Basel convention;
- Attending and reporting back in writing on briefings or meetings relevant to UNEP interests and other institutions;
- Assisting in outreach to the academic, governmental, and NGO communities;
- Drafting memorandums;
- Assisting in certain IETC administrative office duties when necessary;
- Any other duties as required.
Qualifications for a Waste Management related Research internship:
- Background in advanced environmental studies and sciences; 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.
Environment Research intern’s responsibilities may include the following:
- Assisting UNEP IETC 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 UNEP IETC;
- Assisting with outreach programs and activities;
- Undertaking research for speeches and presentations;
- Preparing advocacy materials;
- Drafting memorandums;
- Assisting in certain UNEP IETC 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;
- Strong research and analytical 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.
Application Procedure
Applications for Osaka and Shiga should be mailed to:
United Nations Environment Programme
International Environmental Technology Centre
Attn: Internship Coordinator
2-110 Ryokuchi koen, Tsurumi-ku
Osaka 538-0036 Japan
Email Contact: Internship Coordinator, IETCinterns@unep.org
Electronic Applications are Preferred
Applications must include:
- Completed internship programme application form (download form below);
- A written statement explaining why an internship with UNEP IETC 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 will result in your application not being considered.
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 Japan, it is UN policy that obtaining visas is the sole responsibility of the intern. This can be a lengthy process. If accepted as a UNEP IETC intern, do not delay in pursuing your visa(s). We regret to say that UNEP IETC 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 UNEP IETC wishes to actively pursue your application.
Once selected by UNEP IETC, prior to travel, applicants will be provided with a welcoming package and 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 UNEP IETC and area of work. The supervisor has the option of adding additional comments or observations.
Internship Agreement: Conditions Governing the Internship Programme at UNEP IETC
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 IETC 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 IETC accepts no responsibility for accidents and/or illness incurred during my stay;
- That UNEP IETC does not deal with immigration authorities in Japan 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 IETC internship programme and to avoid any activity that is incompatible with the discharge of my duties for UNEP IETC;
- To exercise the utmost discretion in all matters of official business of UNEP IETC;
- To refrain from communicating at any time to any other person or authority external to UNEP IETC any information known to me by reason of my internship attachment with UNEP IETC which has not been made public, except in the course of my duties or by authorization of UNEP IETC; 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 IETC;
- 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 IETC by me;
- To assist UNEP IETC in securing such property and transferring them to UNEP IETC in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law;
- To arrange for my own transport to and from UNEP IETC;
- To provide notice to my supervisor 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 (241KB) and internship agreement (25KB)
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 IETC 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 IETC. Applications will not, as a general rule, be valid or be retained by UNEP IETC for more than six months from date of receipt.
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