CMS - Aquatic Species Team Internship at the UNEP/CMS Secretariat: Aquatic Species Team of the Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species

Curious about how conservation policy works at intergovernmental level? How the UN works? Here’s an opportunity to learn more and help shape policies that benefit sea turtles, marine mammals, sharks and rays, and more.

The Aquatic Species Team of the Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), which coordinates also the ASCOBANS Agreement, Sharks MOU and IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU, is again offering internships. 

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Numerous additional intergovernmental instruments on migratory species conservation have been adopted under the broad umbrella of CMS which are supported by the CMS Secretariat. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. In the present context, UNEP provides the administrative functions for the CMS Secretariat. Interns will work at the CMS Secretariat at the Bonn duty station in Germany. CMS is looking for interns to support the Aquatic Species Team, which is responsible for the coordination of several daughter agreements which were established under the umbrella of CMS. This includes binding Agreements (ASCOBANS) and Memoranda of Understanding for specific species or species groups (turtles, sharks & rays, cetaceans, sirenians). Furthermore, the team is in charge of coordinating the implementation of COP Decisions and Resolutions and supporting the proponents of Concerted Actions related to aquatic species (freshwater and marine).

The internship is for a minimum of three (3) months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of six (6) months, depending on the needs of the Organization. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of the Head of CMS Aquatic Species Team.

Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period. Under the supervision of Programme Officer / CMS Aquatic Species Team, tasks during the internship may include the following:

• undertake literature reviews on marine mammals, sharks, rays or turtle species of concern for CMS and ASCOBANS or threats that are affecting them;
• assist with compiling information on national, regional and international legal status of marine species;
• undertake data analyses and visualization of data related to the international trade in marine species, fisheries data or other relevant data;
• contribute to the preparation of background documents for meetings of CMS, ASCOBANS and aquatic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs);
• assist in the preparation of publications, presentations and other outreach material, including content for the websites;
• contribute to the development of strategies and action plans;
• assist in the preparation and follow-up of meetings and workshops;
• assist with the development of project proposals for fundraising;
• assist with the implementation of projects;
• assist with the implementation of Decisions taken at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS (COP14); • assist with the substantial preparations (e.g. drafting of documents) for the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15);
• assist with the development of capacity-building materials (e.g. videos, presentations, handouts) for physical and online workshops and courses; • participate at appropriate meetings of the CMS and ASCOBANS Secretariats;
• contribute to tasks related to Memoranda of Understanding for aquatic species (for example: Sharks MOU, IOSEA Marine Turtles MOU or the Pacific Islands Cetaceans MOU); • assist with the implementation of other aspects of the Secretariats’ work programmes.

The internships can start at a mutually agreed date anytime in 2025 and run for 3-6 months. Interns will work from the CMS Secretariat office in Bonn, Germany.