Intern - Finance and Economics Branch

Job Posting Organization:
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. UNEP was established to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices and has been instrumental in addressing global environmental issues. The organization operates in over 100 countries and employs thousands of individuals dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainable development. UNEP collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and civil society, to promote environmental sustainability and integrate it into economic policies.

Job Overview:
The intern will play a crucial role in supporting the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), which is a unique global partnership between UNEP and the private financial sector. The intern's primary responsibilities will include assisting in the organization of the COP17 Finance Day, which involves developing the agenda, coordinating with financial institutions and partners, and preparing analytical and communication materials. The intern will also support the Europe Regional Team of UNEP FI, focusing on enhancing engagement with Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Caucasus, and Central Asia. This position requires strong quantitative and technical skills in ecosystems and finance, particularly in risk and sustainable finance, and aims to embed environmentally sustainable decision-making into mainstream finance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Supporting the organization of Finance Day at COP17, which includes agenda development, coordination with financial institutions and partners, and preparation of communication materials.
• Contributing to financial sector engagement for COP17 by supporting outreach to banks, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Assisting with internal work related to aligning financial flows with the Global Biodiversity Framework, including portfolio alignment, blue/ocean finance, food systems, and biodiversity credits.
• Supporting the Europe regional programme to strengthen responsible finance practices among UNEP FI members, focusing on regulatory implementation and capacity building.
• Providing analytical and research support on biodiversity and finance topics, including alignment of financial flows with global environmental frameworks.
• Conducting desktop research on finance topics relevant to the European context, including regulatory developments and emerging practices.
• Offering administrative and communications support for ongoing projects, including maintaining tracking sheets, minuting calls, and drafting presentations and briefing notes.
• Assisting the programme and team with various tasks and activities on an ad hoc basis.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application: 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. Candidates should ideally have a background in Finance, Business Administration, Environmental Studies, or related fields. Strong quantitative and technical skills in ecosystems and finance are essential, along with excellent research, communication, and writing skills in English.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have completed or be close to completing a master’s or strong undergraduate degree in a relevant domain. A field of study closely related to the internship is required, and proof of enrollment or graduation date must be provided if selected for the position. The internship is open to students in their final year of a bachelor's degree, master's, or Ph.D. programme, or those who have completed such programmes.

Experience:
No professional work experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. However, candidates should demonstrate relevant training, education, or skills that would benefit the United Nations during their internship. Exposure to banking, finance, or insurance industries is considered an asset, but not mandatory.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required, along with proficiency in Russian and Armenian. Knowledge of French and Spanish is desirable, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and costs for 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 United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.