Internship Available: GEF-REPCar Project

The internship is open to current university students and offers an opportunity for the candidate to become acquainted with the activities of a regional project in the field of agriculture and environment, and more specifically with the assessment and implementation of Good Agricultural Practices as a means of decreasing environmental impacts of the use of pesticides in agriculture.  The intern will also be exposed to an intergovernmental treaty dealing with the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.  Under the overall supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Intern will provide technical and administrative support and assistance to the REPCar project of the Caribbean Environment Programme.

Period: The duration is 3-6 months.

Location: Kingston, JAMAICA

Rationale: The Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) is facilitated by the Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit (CAR/RCU) located in Kingston, Jamaica. CAR/RCU serves as the Secretariat for the Action Plan of the CEP as well as for the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention).  The GEF-REPCar project is one of the regional projects being implemented by CAR/RCU.  With financing provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), this project provides Colombia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua the opportunity to implement comprehensive management practices and specific measures to control the use and application of pesticides in the agricultural sector.  As such, the REPCar project will implement various provisions of the Cartagena Convention and specifically those of the Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS).

Supervision:   Direct supervision:      Alexander Cooman, Project Coordinator, REPCar
Second supervisor:      Christopher Corbin, Programme Officer, AMEP

Content and methodology of the supervision: General objectives, desired results and anticipated problems are discussed beforehand with the Intern. Regular feedback on the progress of activities is obtained by the supervisor through review of work in progress. The Intern is expected to carry out the duties under general supervision and to consult with the supervisor(s) on policy issues, governance or other sensitive matters.

Duties, responsibilities and output expectations: The Secretariat works with limited support staff resources. Interns may be required to assist with the routine administrative work of the Secretariat, e.g. preparing correspondence. The tasks will not involve field work.

Technical/Programmatic

Provide input to any of the following technical aspects of the REPCar project:

• Compilation and analysis of information and data on the management of pesticides in the project countries and other member states of the CEP.
• Participate in the environmental and socio-economic assessment of the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices as a basis for the assessment of its sustainability.
• Assist in the development of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies for the different target crops of the project, using contrasting crop management techniques.

Assist in information management and dissemination:

• Prepare material for the project’s website or other means of publication in collaboration with CETA and the project’s administrative assistant.
• Compile and publish news and updates on project activities.

Assist the Project Coordinator in the overall development and implementation of the REPCar workplan, and assist the Coordinator of UNEP-CAR/RCU as appropriate.

Administrative

• Assist in preparing relevant documents and presentations;
• Assist in replying to inquiries received by CEP regarding the REPCar project;
• Assist in organizing meetings and workshops; and
• Report to the Project Coordinator as appropriate.

Reporting

The Intern shall work under the overall supervision of and report to the REPCar Project Coordinator and receive additional guidance from the AMEP Programme Officer. Before the end of the Internship a final report shall be submitted outlining the work undertaken and an evaluation of the same. The report shall be written in English or Spanish and its final draft completed one week prior to the end of the internship, and shall include recommendations to the REPCar project on further development of the activities that the incumbent worked with during the internship.

Required qualifications

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English or Spanish are essential, with good working knowledge of the other language. Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in biology, ecology, agriculture or a related discipline will be required.  Alternatively, students in business administration with affinity or experience in the agricultural sector may apply.  Relevant experience in project management is seen as an advantage. Good organisational skills and the ability to work well as part of a team.

Remuneration

The Internship is without remuneration and the Intern is solely responsible for covering transportation costs, living and accommodation, as well as for insurance during the internship period.