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Unpaid Internship - Circular Economy Intern
Full job description
INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems.
ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.
Unpaid Internship - Circular Economy Intern
Vacancy notice no: 2382
Sector: BDT
Department: DNE
Country of contract: Switzerland
Duty station: Geneva
Position number: [[positionNumber]]
Grade: [[PositionGrade]]
Type of contract: Internship
Duration of contract: 6 months
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 24 September 2026
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT
The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) is responsible for the organization and coordination of the work of the Telecommunication Development Sector of the Union. BDT deals mainly with development policies, strategies, programming, projects, as well as technical cooperation activities to enable and foster universal access to affordable, high-quality and secure telecommunications/ICTs and Foster equitable and inclusive use of telecommunications/ICTs to empower people and societies for sustainable development. To effectively and efficiently serve the needs of Member States, BDT is organized into four functional areas:
- Operations Coordination Department (Office of the Deputy to the Director) (DDR)
- Projects, Partnerships & Digital Skills Department (PPS)
- Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE)
- Digital Knowledge Society Department (DKS)
The Digital Networks & Environment Department (DNE) is responsible to assist the Member States, especially the G77 countries, in a wide range of ICT development challenges, as basic connectivity, spectrum management, evolution of current to future broadband networks and technologies, enabling universal and affordable access, and strengthening the security through the cybersecurity support. In addition, the DNE Department provides expertise and needed support for emergency telecommunications and the increasingly important and urgent aspects related to the environment and climate change.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
ITU is expanding its activities relating to waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) in the policy and regulation domain. ITU is receiving an increasing number of requests from its Member States in the areas of circular economy and climate change. Preparation is underway for the publication of the next Global E-waste Monitor – one of ITU’s flagship reports – tentatively penciled in for June 2027. Significant preparation is required including data collection, information gathering, drafting and overall coordination. The ITU team is looking for dedicated support in these areas, in particular with the preparation of the Global E-waste Monitor 2027. This provides a unique opportunity for the incumbent to be part of the preparations behind the Monitor – the world’s leading compilation of data and information about e-waste.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Under the supervision of the Head of the CET Division and in close cooperation with members of the Creating a Circular Economy for Electronics programme, the intern will:
1) Support with the preparation of the Global E-waste Monitor 2027 – one of ITU’s flagship reports. The Monitor is a product of collaboration between ITU and the UN Institute for Training and Research – a partnership called the Global E-waste Statistics Partnership. ITU is tasked with the collection of data on the number of countries covered by national e-waste policy, legislation and regulation and the composition of these policy instruments – including whether they contain provisions on extended producer responsibility, environmental standards and e-waste collection and recycling targets.
Support provided by the intern towards the preparation of the Global E-waste Monitor 2027 will include:
o Assist with the analysis of the global policy, legislative and regulatory landscape for electronics and e-waste management. This will cover all countries globally of the recognised United Nations regions.
o Review of the status of each country’s national e-waste management policy, legislative and regulatory landscape, to document the progress of legal instruments between 2023 (the last edition of the Global E-waste Monitor waste in 2024 with e-waste legislation data coming from 2023) and 2027.
o Assess the legal instruments for each country where at least one exists, to document whether such instrument(s) include provisions on electronics extended producer responsibility and on e-waste collection and recycling targets.
o Contribute to the compilation of knowledge in the Global E-waste Monitor 2027. The following areas of research and support in drafting are anticipated: materials composition of electronics, circularity impact and critical raw materials, employment in e-waste management, legislation and transboundary movements, regional focus and the key indicators and trends globally.
2) Assist with the inception of the Global Electronics Management Program – a global program funded by the Global Environment Facility, implemented by the UN Industrial Development Organization and other UN agencies and partly executed by ITU. This will involve the preparation of project documentation and partnership materials covering ITU’s role in the program. ITU’s role in the program will cover policy guidance and advisory services in the following areas: extended producer responsibility, right to repair, sustainable financing in e-waste management and circular and sustainable public procurement.
COMPETENCIES
• Knowledge of environmental issues, particularly relating to circular economy and to e-waste.
• Excellent data management skills and ability to analyse information and data across countries and topics.
• Familiarity or willingness to learn about policy development and regulations governing e-waste.
• Ability to conduct research efficiently and draft clear and concise documentation.
• Good interpersonal skills and willingness to work collaboratively with other team members.
QUALIFICATION REQUIRED
Education: University degree (or in the process of completing an advanced university degree) in the areas of global environmental governance, standards, policy, regulation and sustainable development or environmental studies, or an equivalent level of education and specialization in a relevant field.
Experience: No work experience is required.
Languages: Advanced level of English. Fluency in Spanish would be desirable.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Unpaid Internship
Please note that a non-remunerated internship at ITU does not carry the same conditions of employmentas a short-term or fixed-term position. Medical insurance, travel, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
ITU Internship Requirements
To be eligible for an internship at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), candidates must:
• Be under 30 years of age (Exceptions may be considered for candidates pursuing a Ph.D.).
• Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate programme, or be a recent graduate(withinsix months prior to the start of the internship).
• Be a citizen of a Member State of ITU.
INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU career website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Listing sourced from ITU careers. Applications are handled entirely by the employer.
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