Buildings and Cooling Unit Intern
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the UN's designated entity for global and regional environmental issues. The Buildings and Cooling Unit, part of UNEP's Climate Change Division in Paris, focuses on sustainable buildings and cooling to meet the Paris Agreement goals, including the Buildings Breakthrough and Global Cooling Pledge.
Job Purpose
This internship within UNEP's Buildings and Cooling Unit in Paris supports the unit's work on extreme heat and sustainable cooling in cities. The intern will assist in implementing collaborative activities with the Japanese Government and other stakeholders. This role contributes to advancing global strategies for sustainable buildings and cooling, aligning with international climate agreements and initiatives like the Buildings Breakthrough and Global Cooling Pledge.
Responsibilities
Support engagement with the Japanese Government, subnational governments, and Japanese companies on sustainable buildings and cooling activities. Organize technical workshops and webinars focused on Whole Life Cycle Carbon in the building sector, covering both embodied and operational carbon. Develop technical papers on embodied carbon (steel, cement, bio-based materials) and operational carbon (passive/active cooling, heat resilience). Assist with communications for joint activities via GlobalABC and Cool Coalition platforms. Provide translation of technical materials into Japanese and interpretation for Japanese stakeholders during web meetings. Support other country project implementations, such as the GEF-8 Nature for Cooling Challenge.
Work Experience
Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. The internship is unpaid and full-time, lasting for 6 months.
Skills
Technical writing, event organization (workshops/webinars), communication, translation (Japanese), interpretation (Japanese), knowledge of sustainable buildings, cooling technologies, embodied carbon, operational carbon, Whole Life Cycle Carbon assessment, familiarity with climate change initiatives.