Intern - Biodiversity Finance

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. UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment and plays a key role in supporting countries to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and biodiversity commitments. Established to address pressing environmental issues, UNEP has grown to become a pivotal organization in the global environmental landscape, with a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices. It operates in numerous countries worldwide, engaging with various stakeholders to foster collaboration and action on environmental challenges.

Job Overview:
The intern will work with the Biodiversity Finance Working Group to support efforts aimed at closing the significant global biodiversity finance gap. This position is crucial as it involves assisting in the mobilization and deployment of biodiversity finance to support global and national objectives. The intern will be expected to work five days a week, dedicating 35-40 hours under the supervision of a staff member in the department. The role requires a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a commitment to its ideals, as well as the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. The internship is designed to provide practical experience in the field of biodiversity finance, contributing to the overarching goals of UNEP.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will assist the Biodiversity Finance Working Group under the direct supervision of the GEF Biodiversity Task Manager. The specific tasks include: 1) Conducting methodological research and analysis from diverse sources on nature and finance-related themes, particularly focusing on metrics, indicators, and data; 2) Monitoring academic publications on related themes and summarizing them into digestible highlights for the Working Group; 3) Assisting the Task Manager in drafting targeted presentations, briefing notes, and speaking points based on the Working Group’s findings; 4) Providing administrative and communications support for the operations of the Working Group, including scheduling meetings, sharing documentation, maintaining the Intranet page, organizing and minuting meetings; 5) Liaising with relevant in-house and external partners as necessary; 6) Attending meetings, trainings, and conferences relevant to UNEP in Geneva; 7) Performing other relevant duties as assigned.

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) preferably in a relevant domain, with experience in AI tools or technologies; 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. Relevant academic and/or practical experience with data compilation, analysis, dissemination, and visualization is desirable. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience but must have a field of study closely related to the internship.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. Programme, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. Programme. Proof of enrollment or graduation will be required during the application process.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not a prerequisite for this internship, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship. This includes familiarity with research methodologies and analytical skills, particularly in the context of biodiversity finance and environmental issues.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this internship, which is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: reading, writing, speaking, and understanding. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. All costs and arrangements 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. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.