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 UNEP Industry and Economy Division, 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-RMB, the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) (www.unepfi.org) is a unique global partnership between 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, which provide much of the raw materials, goods, and services that 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 the 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.
The intern would join this motivated team and report to the team co-lead, working on a range of exciting and cutting-edge initiatives aiming to mainstream the topic of Nature Finance across financial actors, such as ENCORE, data, and technical development.
TasksThe intern will work with the Nature Lead and Co-Lead to support the UNEP FI Secretariat on the following tasks:
Support cross-sector capacity building initiatives for banks and insurers, including digital learning series, webinars, and workshops. This involves mapping capacity building strategies, maintaining tracking tools, liaising with stakeholders, and coordinating delivery across multiple regions and partners.
Provide coordination and project management support for the ENCORE platform, working closely with the ENCORE Operations Committee representative. This includes assisting with scheduling, tracking progress, maintaining documentation, and supporting ongoing ENCORE-related initiatives and stakeholder engagement.
Support research in nature-related data development, including mapping of existing initiatives.
Project coordination and communications: Provide administrative and communications support on ongoing projects, including maintaining tracking sheets, organizing meetings, and taking minutes.
Independent research initiatives: Take initiative on a piece of applied research or other innovative tasks aligned with your interests, as agreed with the supervisor.
Ad-hoc team support: Assist the programme and team on tasks and activities as needed.
The candidate should have strong quantitative and technical skills relevant to ecosystems and finance, particularly in risk and/or sustainable finance. He or she 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. Skills in data management and analysis, especially spatial applications, would be an advantage.
Qualifications / Special SkillsApplicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
c. 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 Environmental Studies, Finance, Business Administration, technology/AI, 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.
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.
LanguagesEnglish 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.
