Work LocationHome based Expected durationThis internship is for a duration of 6 months and is designed to be part-time and remote. The modality can be handled flexibly on request of the successful candidate. The desirable start date is May 15, 2025. Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackgroud Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. Assessing extreme heat and wildfires in the Americas and the Caribbean is increasingly vital due to the rising frequency and intensity of these climate-driven hazards. These regions are experiencing unprecedented temperature spikes and prolonged droughts, which amplify wildfire risks, threaten ecosystems, and endanger human health and livelihoods. The Caribbean faces unique vulnerabilities due to its small island geography and limited resources for disaster response. In both urban and rural areas across the Americas, marginalized communities often bear the brunt of these impacts. Timely assessments can inform early warning systems, strengthen adaptation strategies, and guide policy decisions to mitigate long-term socio-economic and environmental consequences. Wildfires in Latin America are closely linked to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a climate phenomenon that significantly alters regional weather patterns. During El Niño phases, many parts of Latin America, particularly in the Amazon Basin, Central America, and northern South America, experience reduced rainfall and prolonged dry seasons, creating ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread. These fires not only devastate biodiversity-rich ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest but also contribute to significant carbon emissions and public health issues due to smoke pollution. Understanding the connection between ENSO and wildfire activity is crucial for predicting high-risk periods, enhancing preparedness, and implementing targeted fire prevention and response strategies across the region. Duties and Responsibilities The internship is for a duration of six (6) months. The internship is UNPAID and designed to be part-time and remote. The intern will report to the Programme Management Officer (Risk Knowledge and Climate Change) based in Panama. The internship is designed to provide program management support to increasing understanding of extreme heat and wildfire risk in the Americas and the Caribbean. Daily responsibilities will include: - Support through desk-research building evidence on the adverse impacts of extreme heat and wildfires in the Americas and the Caribbean, including but not limited to the use of early warning systems and climate change adaptation strategies. - Identification of quantitative and probabilistic risk assessment methodologies suitable for extreme heat and wildfires. - Identification of open data sources for modelling extreme heat and wildfires risk in the Americas and the Caribbean. - Review of methodologies to account for non-economic losses related to extreme heat and wildfires in the Americas and the Caribbean. - Assistance in drafting and preparing official documents (e.g., summary of meetings, concept notes and agendas). - Attending and summarizing conferences and meetings. - Assistance in workshops preparation and reporting. - Support in the production of communication materials (e.g., media posts and policy briefs). Competencies COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to the others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having a two-way communication. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing other's ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. Qualifications/special skillsTo qualify for an internship with the United Nations, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). Interested candidates must be pursuing or pursued their degree in areas related to this Job Opening. Applicants must have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, Power Point and MS Teams, and demonstrated ability in statistics, probability, data management and data processsing. Applicants must have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master's or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English and Spanish is required for this internship. Knowledge of Portuguese is desirable. Additional InformationDue to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. *FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*. UNDRR values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women, men, and people with disabilities. Intern Specific textInterns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.