Intern - Climate Change Division

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the designated entity within the United Nations system that addresses environmental issues on both global and regional levels. Established to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus, UNEP plays a crucial role in reviewing the global environment and highlighting emerging issues that require action from governments and the international community. The organization aims to encourage decision-makers across various sectors, including government, local communities, and industry, to adopt policies that promote the efficient use of natural resources, climate adaptation, and mitigation strategies, as well as sustainable consumption and production patterns. UNEP operates in numerous countries, providing technical assistance and capacity development to enhance environmental management, particularly in developing nations and those with transitioning economies. The Climate Change Division of UNEP collaborates with both international and national partners to implement effective environmental policies.

Job Overview:
This internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is situated within the UNEP Climate Change Division, specifically in the Adaptation & Resilience Branch, Climate Finance Unit, located in Nairobi, Kenya. The intern will work under the supervision of the Programme Manager and will be involved in various support tasks aimed at enhancing the capacity of green entrepreneurs through incubation programs related to the Pro-Congo project. The role requires participation in meetings, drafting minutes, preparing briefing notes, and assisting with overall program coordination. Additionally, the intern will conduct market and scoping research to identify potential intervention regions and stakeholders in French-speaking countries, contribute to the development of research modules on topics such as carbon markets and finance literacy, and assist in coordinating with regional teams and local executing entities. The intern will also be responsible for translating program materials and communications between English and French, participating in internal meetings, and preparing report documents and communication resources as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the deployment of incubation programs aimed at enhancing business development capacity for green entrepreneurs in the context of the Pro-Congo project, which involves participating in calls, drafting minutes of meetings, preparing briefing notes, and assisting with overall program coordination.
• Conducting market and scoping research to identify intervention regions, sectors, and potential stakeholders for market development activities specifically in French-speaking countries.
• Contributing research and analyses for the development of additional modules on specific topics that support the incubation programs, such as carbon markets, payment for ecosystem services (PES), and finance literacy and accessibility.
• Assisting in the coordination with regional teams and local executing entities, particularly Enterprise Support Organizations, in Francophone countries.
• Supporting the translation and adaptation of program materials, communications, and reports between English and French.
• Participating in internal meetings of the Climate Finance Unit and assisting the team in preparing report documents and communication resources.
• Carrying out other duties as required on a needs basis.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). The organization encourages applicants with a degree or background in fields such as International Relations, Geography, Environmental Science, Energy Policy, Communications, Business Administration, or related disciplines that focus on climate change, sustainable development, and/or international environmental governance.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes either enrollment in or completion of a graduate program (second university degree or equivalent) or being in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). The preferred fields of study include International Relations, Geography, Environmental Science, Energy Policy, Communications, Business Administration, or other related disciplines that emphasize climate change and sustainable development.

Experience:
The level of experience required for this internship is relatively flexible, as it is primarily aimed at students or recent graduates. However, any prior experience or coursework related to climate change, environmental policy, or sustainable development would be beneficial. The internship is designed to provide practical experience in the field, and thus, a willingness to learn and engage with various tasks is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French is mandatory for this internship, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants must demonstrate fluency in spoken and written English and French, which is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding). Additionally, knowledge of other languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
Interns at the United Nations are not financially remunerated, meaning that they will not receive a salary for their work. All costs and arrangements 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 Kenya may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization before starting the internship. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements prior to accepting the internship offer. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training, and does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.