Internship: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Finance Initiative, Nature in Europe Engagement

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 Branch 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, 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 practices 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 was strongly involved at COP16 and, under CBD leadership, is supporting financial sector engagement for the upcoming 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). This version will focus on four strategic priorities:

• Conducting an effective assessment of the Global Biodiversity Framework,
• Aligning financial flows with biodiversity goals,
• Ensuring full participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and
• Strengthening education, awareness, and multi-stakeholder cooperation.

In this context, the intern will support the organization of the COP17 Finance Day, contributing to the design of the agenda, coordination with financial institutions and partners, and preparation of analytical and communication materials.

In addition, the intern will support the Europe Regional Team of UNEP FI on the commitment and engagement of Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia. This is a critical step given the current leadership activities happening in Europe, and the possibility this brings to enhance UNEP FI’s position in the region and attract both the large membership base we have in the region to participate, as well as new members to UNEP FI.

The intern will work with the Europe Regional Lead supporting the UNEP FI Secretariat on the following tasks:

• Support the organization of Finance Day at COP17: including agenda development, coordination with financial institutions and partners, and preparation of communication materials.
• Contribute to financial sector engagement for COP17: supporting outreach to banks, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Support internal work under the umbrella topic of aligning financial flows with the Global Biodiversity Framework: this will include work across the topics of portfolio alignment, TNFD, blue/ocean finance, food systems, biodiversity credits, policy / enabling environment, and make crosslinks with wider UNEP FI work around climate change, pollution, just transition, and policymaking.
• Support internal work under the Europe regional programme focusing on strengthening responsible finance practices among UNEP FI members across the region: this includes work related to regulatory implementation, capacity building, and membership engagement, in particular with financial institutions and others based in Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Caucasus, and Central Asia.
• Provide analytical and research support on biodiversity and finance topics, including alignment of financial flows with global environmental frameworks and targets.
• Contribute to desktop research on finance topics relevant to the European context, including regulatory developments, implementation challenges, and emerging practices among financial institutions.
• Provide administrative and communications support for ongoing projects and initiatives, including tracking sheet maintenance, minuting calls, drafting targeted presentations, briefing notes, and speaking points.
• Support the programme and team with tasks and activities on an ad hoc basis.

The candidate should have strong quantitative and technical skills in ecosystems and finance, with a focus on risk and/or sustainable finance. S/he should have completed, or be close to completing, a master’s or strong undergraduate degree in a relevant domain and ideally have some exposure to banking, finance, and/or insurance industries. Excellent research, communication, and writing skills in English, as well as a high degree of motivation and self-organization, are required.

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 enrollment 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, Russian and Armenian is required. Knowledge of Spanish and French 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.

DEADLINE: Mar 8, 2026