UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Insurance Internship

Job Description

Work Location: International Environment House, Geneva, Switzerland or 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 UNEP Industry & Economy Division, the Finance & Economics Branch (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 industrywide tools linking science, policy, economics and finance, bringing nature to the heart of financial decisionmaking.

The intern would join this motivated team and report to the team co-lead. The intern should have strong communications and coordination skills to support thematic work across ocean finance via the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative (SBE FI) and industries via the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB). This role involves coordinating work, supporting small-scale research, and assisting with technical outputs aimed at members.

Tasks:

The intern will work with the Insurance Lead and Co-Lead to support the UNEP FI Secretariat on the following tasks:

• Support with communication with insurance members as well as various external stakeholders.
• Support the programme management of the PSI, various insurance initiatives and notably on supporting the work on the V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility, Insurance for Nature Positive, and other insurance initiatives.
• Support the organization of meetings and events, both logistically and in terms of content.
• Carry out research on sustainable insurance topics.
• Keep the Principles for Sustainable Insurance initiative (PSI) web-presence up to date.
• Participate in meetings and calls with insurance members as well as experts and external stakeholders.
• Assist with other tasks as relevant.
• Work on topics of own interest.

The candidate should have strong quantitative and technical skills relevant to ecosystems and finance, relevant to risk and/or sustainable finance. S/he should have completed, or 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 relating to data management and analysis, especially spatial applications, 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.

Final year undergraduate or master’s degree student in Environmental Studies, Finance, Business Administration, 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.

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 (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.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Deadline : Mar 8, 2026