Internship: UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Pollution and Circular Economy Support

Job Description

Work Location: Geneva, Switzerland / remote

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Located within the UN Environment Division of Economy, the Resources & Markets Branch (UNEP-RMB) 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 more than 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.

Pollution and Circular Economy is a thematic focus area recently launched by UNEP FI. Pollution has a pervasive impact on people and society, on biodiversity loss and on climate change. One of the root causes of pollution – as well as climate change and biodiversity loss – is the unsustainable use of natural resources in our production and consumption models. A key part of the solution to the three planetary crises on climate, nature and pollution is to transition to a more resource efficient and circular economy, where waste and pollution are eliminated, products and materials are kept in use at their highest value and natural systems are regenerated. This is a priority, not only for our planet and our health, but also to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and to build more resilient economies.

The global financial sector has a pivotal role to play to transition to a circular economy. UNEP FI works with members and partners to support the transition to less polluting and more circular economies. We provide research and guidance, we raise awareness and build capacity within the financial community, we facilitate peer exchange and collective action, at global and regional level. We engage with policymakers, such as in the context of the negotiation of the future international legally binding plastics treaty which is expected to be finalised by end of 2024.

The intern will join the Pollution and Circular Economy workstream, working on a range of exciting and cutting-edge initiatives, in collaboration with other UNEP FI’s thematic streams and external stakeholders.

Tasks:

The intern will assist with implementing UNEP FI’s work programme related to its Pollution and Circular Economy workstream. Daily responsibilities may vary depending on the individual’s background. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Support internal work on the topics of pollution - especially plastic and chemicals pollution - and circular economy. We expect the intern to take initiative on a piece of applied research on a relevant topic and/or other additional duties relevant to their own areas of interest in this field (can be technological, creative or otherwise innovative in relation with pollution and/or circular economy), as agreed with the supervisor.
• Support the on-going development of the UNEP FI support, guidance materials, case studies, capacity building program and other work related to pollution and circular economy.
• Support the work of the Circular Economy Working Group, which develops a series of guidance documents for banks on how to operationalise the nexus between circular economy and the broader sustainability agenda, especially in sectors with high impact and strong circular potential.
• Support the establishment and activities of a Circular Economy Community of Practice, which aims to foster knowledge sharing and peer exchange within the finance sector, as well as multistakeholder exchange, including with development banks.
• Support the work of the Pollution Working Group, which develops a guidance on pollution for banks, especially in high impact sectors like agriculture and buildings and construction.
• Support the work of the Finance Leadership Group on Plastics, a core group of financial institutions contributing to the development process of the future international plastics treaty currently under negotiation by Member States, and co-developing resources to support financial institutions to tackle the issue of plastic pollution in their portfolios.
• Carry out research on pollution, circular economy and finance-related themes, especially around metrics, indicators and data, as well as norms and practices.
• Collate information on pollution and circular economy from various sources including technical reports, industry publications, webinars, company disclosures, etc. Monitor academic publications on related themes and convert these into digestible highlights.
• Assist with day-to-day coordination of communications with the participants of UNEP FI’s Pollution and Circular Economy Working Groups, Finance Leadership Group on Plastics, Circular Economy Community of Practice and other interest groups (general liaison, setting up meetings), and with other UNEP FI teams as relevant.
• Provide project coordination, administrative and communications support on ongoing projects and initiatives for example tracking sheet maintenance, organising and minuting calls, supporting the production and dissemination of communication materials (webinars, brochures, etc.).

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.

Relevant experience and final year undergraduate or master’s degree studies or recently graduated in finance, economics, sustainable development, environmental studies, international relations/affairs or other related themes.

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 French and Spanish 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).
3. 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.
4. 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