UNEP’s New Call for Internship Opportunities for 2024 is now out ! Global Policy Support Internship
Attention students and grads! Applications are open for UNEP’s 2024 internships. Embark on an environmental career with a prestigious international organization – UNEP awaits your talent. Explore the UNEP Finance Initiative Global Policy Support Internship now!
Background About UNEP:
Situated in the UN Environment Division of Economy, the Resources & Markets Branch (UNEP-RMB) aims to preserve the environment, alleviate poverty, and advance sustainable development. It strengthens the capacity of governments, businesses, and civil society to incorporate environmental considerations into economic, trade, and financial policies. This aligns with the collaborative and integrated policy-making approaches of sustainable development. Within UNEP-RMB, the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) (www.unepfi.org) stands as a distinctive global partnership uniting UNEP and the private financial sector.
Internship Program Overview:
UNEP FI collaborates closely with 400 financial institutions, signatories to UNEP FI Statements of Environmental Commitment, and various partners to foster connections between the environment, sustainability, and financial performance. UNEP FI, through industry commissions, advisory groups, and regional activities, aims to identify, promote, and realize the adoption of sustainable practices at all financial institution levels. Recent years have seen a substantial rise in global policy and regulatory measures on sustainable finance. Public policy significantly influences finance institutions’ capacity to generate positive and reduce negative impacts through financing decisions, impacting the sustainability and stability of financial markets and broader socio-economic systems.
Sustainable finance policies play a pivotal role in facilitating a successful transition, complementing financial sector leadership and initiatives like the Principle for Responsible Banking and the Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance. UNEP FI’s Global Policy Team, situated in Brussels, focuses on fostering compatibility between policy and regulatory frameworks worldwide. Team members, dispersed across regions, coordinate relevant inputs and developments in regulations. The position is based in Brussels, Belgium.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will play a key role in supporting the UNEP FI Policy team by undertaking the following tasks:
Research and Content Development:
- Conduct comprehensive desktop research on sustainable financial regulation and finance-related themes as requested by the Policy team. Themes may include climate risk integration into banking regulation, corporate sustainability disclosure, transition plans, green taxonomies, biodiversity-related policy developments, and more.
- Contribute to the development of policy briefs outlining sustainable banking regulatory measures in key regions and/or jurisdictions.
- Ensure collaboration and input from other UNEP FI teams and relevant stakeholders.
- Assist in preparing informational sessions, webinars on specific regulatory developments, and events.
- Engage in content development and technical work aligned with personal research interests, in line with the Policy team’s focus.
Project Management Support:
- Aid the Policy team in researching viable funding opportunities and support in the application process.
- Assist in internal coordination efforts.
- Coordinate work with other thematic teams within UNEP FI.
- Support in consultation management for the Policy team.
- Provide administrative support for the Policy team.
- Assist the Policy team in internal communications, website updates, and the external handling of webinars and conferences involving UNEP FI Signatories.
Competencies:
Communication: Communicates effectively through clear and articulate speech and writing. Listens attentively, interprets messages accurately, and responds appropriately. Seeks clarification through questions and fosters two-way communication. Adapts language and style to suit the audience, demonstrating transparency in sharing information.
Teamwork: Collaborates with colleagues to attain organizational goals. Values others’ ideas and expertise, learning from the team. Prioritizes the team agenda over personal interests, supporting and adhering to group decisions. Acknowledges joint responsibility for both team accomplishments and shortcomings.
Client Orientation: Views all service recipients as “clients,” striving to understand their perspectives. Establishes and nurtures productive partnerships by gaining trust and respect. Identifies client needs and matches them with suitable solutions. Monitors developments within and outside the client’s environment, staying informed and anticipating issues. Keeps clients updated on project progress, meeting timelines for product or service delivery.
Eligibility Criteria:
Education:
- Currently enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or higher).
- In the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent).
- Graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within one year of graduation.
Experience:
- Preferred background in finance, economics, law, international relations/affairs, or development studies.
- While professional work experience is not mandatory, your field of study should closely align with the internship you’re applying for.
- Should be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s, or Ph.D. program, or have completed one of these programs. If you meet any of these criteria, please specify and attach proof with your application. An official certificate will be required later.
Languages:
- Fluency in oral and written English is essential.
- Knowledge of another UN language is advantageous.
Additional Information on Application Requirements:
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- Title of the degree you are currently pursuing
- Graduation Date
- IT skills and programs proficiency
- Explanation of why you are the ideal candidate for this specific internship
- Description of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, including details of any past work experience.Submit a comprehensive application (Personal History Profile) and a Cover Note through the UN Careers Port
- al. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The Cover Note should include:
- Provide proof of enrollment from your current university if you have not yet graduated.
- Include a copy of your degree certificate if you have already graduated. Due to a high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. No prior working experience is necessary to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advanced coursework, or skills should contribute to the United Nations during your internship. Potential candidates will be contacted directly by the hiring manager for further assessment.
Special Notice: Your internship application must include:
- Submit a detailed application (Candidate Profile) through the UN Careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In your Personal History Profile (CP), ensure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.
- Provide proof of enrollment by following this link and attaching it to your application: Internship Programme Enrollment Proof. List the IT skills and programs you are proficient in, and explain why you are the best candidate for the internship, outlining your expectations from the experience.
- Attach a certified copy of your degree certificate if you have already graduated. Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted.
Remuneration:
Interns are not financially compensated by the United Nations. Costs 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 internship country may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.
Application Deadline:
The deadline for application submission is Feb 28, 2024. Ensure all required documents are submitted before this date for consideration.