Work Location
Geneva, Switzerland / Remote
Expected duration
6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
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. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is the strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers and investors. For over 32 years UNEP FI has been shaping and driving the international sustainable finance agenda, setting global standards and growing a global network of leading financial institutions. Through its work-streams and regional activities, peer learning, methodology development, training and research, UNEP FI promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. Global policy and regulatory measures on sustainable finance have increased substantially in recent years. Public policy critically affects the ability of finance institutions to generate sustainable positive and reduce negative impacts through financing decisions. It affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental and economic systems. Sustainable finance policies have become central to enabling and accelerating a successful transition. A dedicated intern is required to support the Policy Team’s expanding fundraising, reporting, and coordination needs, ensuring timely delivery and smooth operations as UNEP FI’s sustainable finance work continues to grow. Tasks: In this role, the intern will assist with policy team fundraising activities—including fundraising, monitoring, and internal operations. Daily responsibilities may vary depending on the intern’s background and the needs of the team. Duties may include, but are not limited to: A. Support to Fundraising Activities - Conduct mapping and landscape analysis of prospective donors, including public institutions, private-sector donors, and philanthropic organizations. - Identify potential contacts and priority engagement opportunities for fundraising initiatives. - Input, update, and maintain donor profiles, fundraising pipelines, and engagement records in the internal fundraising platform. - Prepare consolidated summaries, overviews, and presentations of the fundraising pipeline for the Policy Team leads. - Assist in drafting tailored concept notes, proposals, and other fundraising materials. - Monitor the progress of fundraising pipelines and ensure accurate and up-to-date records in the internal system. - Support the development of communication, visibility, and outreach materials for prospective donors. B. Support to Monitoring and Reporting - Contribute to the development and maintenance of the Donor and Implementing Partners Reporting Tracker for the Policy Team. - Ensure all reporting milestones and deadlines for donor grants and Implementing Partner agreements are accurately recorded. - Assist in establishing an automated reporting workflow to generate reminders ahead of reporting deadlines. - Track reporting timelines, follow up with contributors, and support the timely submission of required reports and documentation. C. Support to Internal Operations - Assist with administrative and organizational tasks related to the establishment of a new unit within the Policy Team (where applicable). - Coordinate Policy Team Speed Networking activities, including organizing virtual sessions, preparing invitations, and developing supporting materials. - Provide operational and administrative support to ensure the smooth day-to-day functioning of the Policy Team. - Perform additional ad-hoc tasks and assignments as requested by the supervisor or team leads.
Qualifications/special skills
Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: 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. Recent undergraduate or recent master’s degree graduate in international policy, communications, journalism, environmental studies, development studies, economics, business administration, finance, ideally with some experience in communications through internships or extracurricular activities. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Please explain how you meet this criterion. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN Language is desirable.
Additional Information
1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include: - Title of the degree you are currently pursuing - Graduation Date - IT skills and programmes you are proficient in - Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, ensure to include all past work experience (if any). 2. Proof of enrollment from current University (if not graduated). 3. A copy of the degree certificate (if you have already graduated). No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Assessment Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration. Special Notice Your application for this internship must include: 1. A Completed application (Candidate Profile) through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In your Personal History Profile (CP), be sure to include all past work experiences, IT Skills, and three references. 2.Proof of enrollment (click on link to access and attach to your application: http://unon.org/content/internship-programme) List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in using, and Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship and what you hope to gain from the internship. 3. A certified copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated). Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
Intern Specific text
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
