Intern - Academic Engagement Taskforce

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. Established to serve as an authoritative advocate for the global environment, UNEP operates in numerous countries worldwide, engaging with various stakeholders to enhance environmental governance and sustainable practices. The organization is committed to addressing pressing environmental issues and fostering partnerships that lead to effective solutions for sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The intern will be part of the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), which is a unique global partnership between UNEP and the private financial sector. This initiative works closely with over 500 financial institutions to promote sustainability practices within financial operations. The intern will support the Academic Engagement Taskforce, which aims to bridge the gap between market actors and researchers in sustainable finance. This role involves assisting in the development of research questions for the Global Roundtable 2026, contributing to a scoping paper on the research-practice gap, and supporting the coordination of the Taskforce's activities. The intern will report to the Nature and Academic Engagement Lead and will be involved in various tasks that require strong analytical and research skills, particularly in the context of sustainable finance and environmental economics.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities will include supporting the development of research questions for the Global Roundtable 2026, conducting literature reviews to identify key themes and references related to UNEP FI, contributing to the scoping paper on the research-practice gap, benchmarking event formats for academic engagement, building a stakeholder map of academic researchers and institutions, providing secretariat support to the Taskforce, preparing deliverables and documentation, supporting logistics for the GRT 2026 academic sessions, and contributing to post-event recommendations for future academic engagement.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), be in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level), or have graduated with a university degree within the past year. The candidate should have strong analytical and research skills, ideally with a focus on sustainable finance, environmental economics, or a related field. Excellent writing, critical thinking, and communication skills in English are required, and familiarity with academic databases and citation tools is advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes being a student in the final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or being enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program. Candidates should have a strong academic record in fields related to finance, business administration, environmental studies, or other relevant themes. Proof of enrollment or graduation date will be required if selected for the internship.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme, candidates should have a field of study closely related to the internship. Exposure to sustainable finance and/or financial institutions is considered a strong asset, as it will enhance the candidate's ability to contribute effectively to the tasks at hand.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this internship. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable, as the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat include both English and French. Proficiency in additional languages can enhance communication and collaboration within the international environment of the UN.

Additional Notes:
This internship is home-based and expected to last for 6 months. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and all costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. The application process requires a completed application through the UN careers portal, including a Personal History Profile and Cover Note, proof of enrollment, and a copy of the degree certificate if applicable. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.