Intern - Research on Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology

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 in 1972, UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment and operates in over 150 countries. The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF), managed by UNEP, was established in 1991 to support projects aimed at reversing the deterioration of the Earth's stratospheric ozone layer and reducing the consumption of high global warming hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The MLF is governed by an Executive Committee with equal representation from industrialized and developing countries, and it reports annually to the Meeting of the Parties on its operations. The Fund Secretariat is located in Montreal, Canada, and is responsible for administering the MLF's activities and projects.

Job Overview:
This internship is located within the UNEP/MLF at the Montreal duty station, where interns will work five days a week (35-40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member. The primary focus of this internship is to assist the Multilateral Fund Secretariat in various research and analytical tasks related to refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump technologies. Interns are expected to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, and a commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. They should be able to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs. This internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. The internship is set to start on October 1, 2026, with a minimum duration of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities, including: mapping refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump technologies across different capacities and regions, assessing the use of controlled substances and alternative refrigerants; collecting and analyzing details related to intellectual property rights of alternative technologies; summarizing and comparing findings from various global and regional RACHP technology reports; collecting and analyzing details about MAC technology for different types of vehicles; assessing RACHP training institutes in Article 5 countries; evaluating digital tools for RACHP training; compiling lists of available servicing equipment and tools; and assisting in the design of an internal portal for organizing technology-related information. Additional duties may be assigned by the supervisor as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application: be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent); or have graduated with a university degree in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Science, or a related field with a strong emphasis on technical research, data analysis, and sustainable technologies. While professional work experience is not required, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Applicants should provide examples of how they meet this criterion.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be students in the final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in or have completed a Master’s or Ph.D. program. Proof of enrollment or graduation must be attached to the application, and an official certificate will be required at a later stage. A background in conducting literature reviews and synthesizing technical information from multiple sources is desirable, as is experience in scientific research and data analysis.

Experience:
No prior professional work experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Program. However, candidates should demonstrate relevant training, education, advanced coursework, or skills that would benefit the United Nations during their internship. Applicants are encouraged to provide examples of their experience in scientific research and data analysis, particularly using analytical tools to organize, visualize, and interpret research findings.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of an additional official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's profile for the internship.

Additional Notes:
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 Canada may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. Importantly, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training.