UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Nature Internship

United Nations

Job details

  • ONSITE
  • INTERNSHIP
  • GENEVA
  • Verified 2026-10-01
  • Source: United Nations public UN Careers board

Original job description

Work Location Remote or in Geneva, Switzerland 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. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies, practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is the strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers and investors. For over 34 years UNEP FI has been shaping and driving the international sustainable finance agenda, setting global standards and growing a global network of leading financial institutions. Through its work-streams and regional activities, peer learning, methodology development, training and research, UNEP FI promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. 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 lead, working on a range of exciting and cutting-edge initiatives aiming to mainstream the topic of Nature Finance across financial actors, such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD), Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative (SBEFI) and so on. Tasks The intern will work with the Nature Lead and Co-Lead to support the UNEP FI Secretariat on the following tasks: 1) 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. 2) Undertake desktop research on nature and finance-related themes especially around metrics, indicators, and data, complemented by analysis of real-world project pipelines, investment opportunities, and emerging market developments 3) Collate information from various sources including technical reports, industry publications, webinars, company disclosures, etc. Monitor for academic publications on related themes and convert these into digestible highlights. 4) Carry out applied research for the purpose of drafting targeted presentations, briefing notes and speaking points. 5) Provide project coordination, administrative and communications support on ongoing projects and initiatives for example tracking sheet maintenance, organizing and minuting calls. 6) Take initiative on a piece of applied research on a relevant topic and/or other additional duties relevant to their own areas of interest in this field (can be technological, creative or otherwise innovative in nature), as agreed with the supervisor. 7) Support the programme and team on tasks and activities on ad-hoc basis. 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 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 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. 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 Not available. 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.

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