Work LocationHome-based Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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 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 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 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 to contribute to a strategic new initiative to strengthen UNEP FI’s academic partnerships and visibility. This work supports cutting-edge efforts to embed research-driven insights into sustainable finance practice across programmes such as Climate, Nature, Banking, Insurance, and Policy & Regulation. He or she would report to the Nature team lead acting as interim Academic Outreach lead while the future of this work at UNEP FI is in process of being scoped. Tasks The intern will work with the Nature Lead / interim Academic Outreach Lead to support the UNEP FI Secretariat on the following tasks: • Map academic references to UNEP FI’s work. Review academic literature to identify who is citing UNEP FI, which tools and publications are most referenced, and in what context (e.g. climate risk, biodiversity finance, net-zero transition). If possible, chart how references have evolved over time. • Track research trends aligned with UNEP FI priorities. Identify key themes, academic disciplines, and emerging research areas that are most relevant to UNEP FI’s programme areas (e.g. nature and climate risk, transition finance, sustainable food systems, blended finance, multilateral collaboration). Provide updates and briefings to inform team strategy and engagement. • Benchmark outreach models. Review models such as the PRI’s Academic Network, UN and others to identify best practices for academic engagement. Map academic conferences of relevance (e.g. GRASFI) and track participation and contributions from UNEP FI members. • Build a stakeholder map. Develop a shortlist of high-impact academic institutions and individual researchers who are strategically relevant to UNEP FI’s work and objectives. Include potential executive education programmes for future collaboration. • Support cross-programme collaboration. Liaise across UNEP FI’s programmes (e.g. nature, climate, banking, investment, insurance, policy) to surface shared academic interests and help structure outreach accordingly. • Carry out applied research and drafting. Synthesize findings into presentations, internal notes, and short written outputs, supporting thought leadership or decision-making on potential engagement strategies. • Provide administrative and coordination support. Track key sources, maintain a research database, monitor academic alerts, and support meeting organization and documentation where relevant. • Take initiative on a complementary area of interest. As agreed with the supervisor, pursue a complementary research topic or creative project that could benefit UNEP FI’s academic engagement strategy (e.g. a prototype dashboard, visualization, or mini-case study series). Candidate Profile The candidate should have strong analytical and research skills, ideally with a focus on sustainable finance, environmental economics, political economy, or a related field. They should be completing or have completed a Master’s degree or strong undergraduate degree, with demonstrated ability to work with academic literature and engage with complex concepts. Exposure to sustainable finance and/or financial institutions is a strong asset. Excellent writing, critical thinking, and communication skills in English are required. Familiarity and experience with academic databases, citation tools, or data visualization tools 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. 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 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. Additional Information1. 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). Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. 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. Intern Specific textInterns 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 FeeTHE 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.