Vacancy Announcement

Title: / Media Communication Internship
Unit/Department: / The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) ,UNEP, Economics and Trade Branch (ETB),
Deadline for applications: / 11 March 2013
Date of issuance: / 22 February 2013
Duty Station: / Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: / 6 months
Start date: / 22 April 2013
  1. Background

At the meeting of the G8+5 Environment Ministers in Potsdam, Germany (March 2007), the participating countries called for a global study on “the economic significance of the global loss of biological diversity” as part of a “Potsdam Initiative” for biodiversity.

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) initiative was launched in order to respond to this mandate and resulted in the production of the following series of reports focused on improving understanding of the economic costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and to communicate this understanding to key stakeholders:

1. TEEB - Ecological and Economic Foundations. A report on the fundamental concepts

and methodologies for economic valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services;

2. TEEB - National and International Policy Making. A report providing analysis and

guidance on how to value and internalize biodiversity and ecosystem values in policy

decisions;

3. TEEB - Local and Regional Policy and Management. A report providing analysis and

guidance for mainstreaming biodiversity and ecosystem values at regional and local

levels, illustrated with case study examples; and

4. TEEB – Business and Enterprise. A report providing analysis and guidance on how

business and enterprise can identify and manage their biodiversity and ecosystem risks

and opportunities.

These reports are available at

The TEEB initiative is now entering a new phase of implementation (phase III) focused on facilitating TEEB national and sectoral studies; expanding the TEEB network of experts; and expanding TEEB communications and outreach.

As part of TEEBs extended communications and outreach, TEEB would like to keep abreast of all the information and studies that are being produced that are TEEB related. Keeping a close track of this rapidly expandingliterature as well as ensuring that this knowledge is made available in a timely and convenientmanner to the TEEB network through online and social media is an essential part of the TEEB communications strategy. The purpose of this internship is to assist the TEEB team in the continued delivery and strengthening of online communication functions.

2. Online Communicationspractice to date

Since August 2011 and the beginning of phase III,TEEB has began focusing on communications and outreach of the TEEB project and concept. As part of the communications, TEEB currently hosts a website, twitter and facebook accounts and distributes a regular e-newsletter (TEEBrief). The TEEB online community has been growing at a steady pace for the past 6 months and we would like to continue to expand the network.

A new TEEB website is currently under development. The new website is being designed to better deliver phase III objectives with an improved structure and more and improved content. During the process of developing the new website, both the old and the new sites have to be kept up to date.

3. Terms of reference

Under the supervision of the Head ofCommunications, the incumbent will:

(1) Develop new content for the new TEEB website.

Tasks

(i)Develop content for the new TEEB website e.g. Report presentations, fact sheets for pilot country projects, summaries of case studies etc.

(ii)Support the development of new media content for the website e.g. Videos, podcasts, audio interviews.

(iii)Update the current and new TEEB websites when required e.g. workshop reports, TEEB story of the week etc.).

Output: The TEEB websites are improved, up to date and functioning.

(2) Research and suggest appropriate mobile application/s options for TEEB

Tasks

(i)Research the applications that are currently used by similar organizations.

(ii) Suggest possible applications that could be used by TEEB.

Output: A number of viable options for the development of a TEEB App.

(3) Develop a TEEB social media strategy for growing TEEB’s online presence

Tasks

(i)Research the social media strategy of similar organizations and synthesize the outcomes

(ii)Develop a TEEB social media strategy with the aim to expand TEEB’s online presence

(iii)Identify specific actions to develop, grow and interact with online audiences.

(iv)Investigate additional social media platforms and how they could be used by TEEB e.g. Linkedin, Google+ reddit etc.

(v)Search for and write TEEB facebook updates.

(vi)Monitor ’friends’ facebook usage and respond when necessary.

(vii)Tweet and re-tweet appropriate messages on twitter.

Output: continued social media activity and growth in follower numbers.

(4) Collect and compile TEEB related news items for the TEEBrief e-newsletter

Tasks

(i)actively monitorrelevant websites, RSS feeds, email alerts and other information repositories for TEEB related news;

(ii)Conduct research and searches for case studies that reflect the methodologies and concepts of the TEEB project

(iii)In a timely manner distribute the TEEB related news via the TEEBrief, writing the articles and liaising with partners for more information where needed.

Output: a TEEB newsletter approximately every 3 weeks.

(6) Other activities as required

4. Requirements, eligibility and procedure

Requirements

  • Academic background in Communications, website development, communications, economics or Ecosystems
  • Strong writing and editing skills
  • Fluency in English required, other UN languages an asset
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of online tools, software and Content Management Systems (e.g. Zotero, Evernote, Wordpress and media editing software) would be an advantage
  • Knowledge of Ecology or Biodiversity an asset.

Duration

6 months full time starting 22 April 2013.

Eligibility

Due to the large number of applicants and the limited number ofplaces available per year, applicants arestrongly advised to note the eligibility criteriafor obtaining an internship with UNEP-ETB. All of the requirements must be met for the internship application to be processed.

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. UNEP accepts no responsibility or liability for costs arising from damages, travel, accident and/or illness incurred during an internship. Obtaining visas is also the sole responsibility of the intern.

Application Procedure

Applications including a cover letterand current CV should be submitted by email to .

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

If selected by UNEP-TEEB for an internship, applicants will be asked to complete and send a signed Internship Agreementfor the United Nations prior to travel.

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