Academic Engagement Taskforce Internship

Job Description

Work Location: Home based

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

Located within the UN Environment Division of Economy, the Finance and Economics (UNEP-FEB) seeks to conserve the environment, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable development by enhancing the capacity of governments, businesses, and civil society to integrate environmental considerations into economic, trade, and financial policies and practices in accordance with the partnership and integrated policy-making approaches of sustainable development.

As part of UNEP-FEB, the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) (www.unepfi.org) is a unique global partnership between the UNEP and the private financial sector. UNEP FI works closely with over 500 financial institutions that are signatories to the UNEP FI Statements of Environmental Commitment, and a range of partner organizations to develop and promote linkages between the environment, sustainability and financial performance.

Through its industry commissions, thematic advisory groups and regional activities, UNEP FI carries out its mission to identify, promote, and realize the adoption of sustainability practice at all levels of financial institution operations.

The financial community has a critical role to play in safeguarding the world’s ecosystems such as oceans, forests, land, and their biodiversity, provide much of the raw materials, goods and services which underpin the global economy. At risk from over-exploitation and environmental degradation, there is an urgent need to manage these natural assets more effectively in order to ensure the health and wellbeing of society, and stability of businesses and the financial system at the heart of the economy.

UNEP FI works with members and partners to embed environmentally sustainable decision-making into mainstream finance (www.unepfi.org/ecosystems/ecosystems/). We provide technical research and guidance, working with the financial community on cutting-edge innovations and frameworks, and developing industry-wide tools linking science, policy, economics and finance, bringing nature to the heart of financial decision-making.

UNEP FI is establishing a 12-month Academic Engagement Taskforce (February 2026 – January 2027) to bridge the gap between market actors and researchers in sustainable finance, with the UNEP FI Global Roundtable 2026 (London, June) as its centrepiece. The Taskforce will advise on priority research questions, event formats, and produce a scoping paper on bridging the research-practice gap. This is a time-limited initiative with a decision point after the GRT on whether to deepen academic engagement further.

The intern would join this motivated team to support this strategic initiative. They would report to the Nature and Academic Engagement Lead who leads the Taskforce secretariat.

Tasks

• Support research questions development for GRT 2026. Assist in developing and refining the shortlist of priority research questions for the Global Roundtable 2026 academic sessions. Review academic literature to identify who is citing UNEP FI, which tools and publications are most referenced, and in what context (e.g. climate risk, biodiversity finance, nature-related disclosures).
• Contribute to the scoping paper on the research-practice gap. Conduct research to inform the Taskforce’s scoping paper on bridging the research-practice gap in sustainable finance. Identify key themes, academic disciplines, and emerging research areas most relevant to UNEP FI’s programme areas (e.g. nature and climate risk, transition finance, sustainable food systems). Provide a landscape review of where UNEP FI’s efforts would be most fruitful.
• Benchmark event formats and outreach models. Review models such as the PRI’s Academic Network and PRI in Person event format to identify best practices for academic engagement at roundtable events. Map academic conferences of relevance (e.g. GRASFI) and develop recommendations for the format and approach for academic engagement at GRT 2026.
• Build a Taskforce stakeholder map. Develop and maintain a database of academic researchers and institutions strategically relevant to UNEP FI’s work. Support outreach to proposed Taskforce members to confirm interest. Connect UNEP FI with relevant academic networks for GRT 2026 participation.
• Support Taskforce coordination. Provide secretariat support to the Academic Engagement Taskforce, including coordinating virtual meetings (60-90 minutes each), preparing briefing materials, and supporting asynchronous input on documents. Liaise across UNEP FI’s programmes to surface shared academic interests.
• Prepare Taskforce deliverables and documentation. Synthesise findings into presentations, briefings, and written outputs supporting the Taskforce’s deliverables: the final selection of research questions, recommended event format, scoping paper, and recommendations on future academic engagement.
• Support GRT 2026 academic session logistics. Track key sources, maintain a research database, and support preparation for the GRT 2026 academic sessions (June, London). Coordinate with speakers and attendees as needed.
• Contribute to post-GRT recommendations. Following GRT 2026, support the post-event review and contribute to the Taskforce’s recommendations on future academic engagement, including potential extension to Regional Roundtables in 2027 and beyond.

Candidate Profile

The candidate should have strong analytical and research skills, ideally with a focus on sustainable finance, environmental economics, political economy, or a related field. They should be completing or have completed a Master’s degree or strong undergraduate degree, with demonstrated ability to work with academic literature and engage with complex concepts. Exposure to sustainable finance and/or financial institutions is a strong asset.

Excellent writing, critical thinking, and communication skills in English are required. Familiarity and experience with academic databases, citation tools, or data visualization tools would be an advantage.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
• Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

Master’s degree student in Finance, Business Administration, Environmental Studies, other related themes, or recently graduated (candidates are eligible for this position up to one year after the graduation date). The intern must be able to show proof of enrolment or of graduation date if selected for this position.

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. Please explain how you meet this criterion.

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.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN Language is desirable.

Additional Information

1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include:
   • Title of the degree you are currently pursuing
   • Graduation Date
   • IT skills and programmes you are proficient in
   • Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
   • Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, ensure to include all past work experience (if any).
2. Proof of enrollment from current University (if not graduated).
3. A copy of the degree certificate (if you have already graduated).

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

DEADLINE: Feb 6, 2026