Internship: Africa and Middle East Regional Support

Job Description

Work Location: Remote/ Geneva

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

United Nations Environment Programme - Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a partnership between United Nations Environment and the global financial sector created in the wake of the 1992 Earth Summit with a mission to promote sustainable finance. More than 450 financial institutions, including banks, insurers, and investors, work with UN Environment to understand today’s environmental, social and governance challenges, why they matter to finance, and how to actively participate in addressing them.

UNEP FI’s work also includes a strong focus on policy - by promoting country-level dialogues between finance practitioners, supervisors, regulators and policy-makers, and, at the international level, by promoting financial sector involvement in processes such as the global climate negotiations.

Tasks:

In line with UNEP FI work programme for 2023 and under the direct supervision of the Signatory Relations, working closely with the Africa and Middle East (AME) Regional Coordinator, the intern will support the implementation and consolidation of UNEP FI outreach & coordination plans across the four regions. The intern is expected to:

• Assist in writing country and members’ profiles, monitoring reporting as well as on establishing the key areas of expertise of supporting institutions - these profiles will be in English/Arabic/French.
• Support membership surveys across the AME region - these will be in English/Arabic/French.
• Assist with identifying financial institutions for outreach in line with banking, insurance, and investment membership strategies.
• Assist with preparation of sustainable finance events in the region (training and awareness-raising activities); Assist the Regional Coordinator in drafting concept notes in English/Arabic/French and preparation of national workshops (sending invitations, logistical matters, etc.) in addition to follow up activities.
• Assist with development of public communication through, for example, UNEP FI newsletter, website, case studies, and quarterly members calls, etc.
• Update the contact database for UNEP FI Signatories including the areas of active engagement with UNEP FI, if and as relevant.
• Support the Regional Coordinator and Signatory Relations Manager on any other matters as necessary.
• Assist in writing, editing, proofreading, and preparing communications for members in English/Arabic/French.
• Assist in community platform creation and management.

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.

Final year undergraduate or master’s degree student in development studies, economics, business administration, finance, environmental studies with some experience in communications.

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 spoken and written English and French is required. Knowledge of Arabic 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.

Assessment

Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice

Your application for this internship must include:

1. A Completed application (Candidate Profile) through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In your Personal History Profile (CP), be sure to include all past work experiences, IT Skills, and three references.
2. Proof of enrollment (click on link to access and attach to your application: http://unon.org/content/internship-programme) List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in using, and Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship and what you hope to gain from the internship.
3. A certified copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).

Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

DEADLINE: Feb 24, 2026