Intern - urban heat and cooling

Paris

6 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The Subnational Climate Action Unit is part of UNEP’s Climate Change Division Mitigation Branch and based in Paris. Contributing to the UN system-wide strategy on sustainable urban development and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, through sustainable buildings and construction, sustainable urban food systems, sustainable energy and cooling, and integrated urban planning with nature. The Subnational Climate Action Unit is advertising two internships for 2027 in support of its work on extreme heat and sustainable cooling in cities:

• A 6-months internship starting in January 2027
• A 6-months internship starting in July 2027 Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer, Beat the Heat, the intern will support the implementation of the Beat the Heat Implementation Drive and the Nature for Cooling Challenge (NCC). Specific tasks may include:
• Support the day-to-day implementation of Beat the Heat, including tracking participating cities and their cooling commitments, and following up on technical assistance requests.
• Support the implementation of the NCC in Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire and Cambodia, including the supporting the selection process of the grant winners. Support day to day coordination of the process in Côte d’Ivoire.
• Conduct research and draft briefs, case studies and background notes on urban heat, nature-based and passive cooling, and methods to measure their cooling and mitigation benefits.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of knowledge products and tools (e.g. MRV framework, urban heat assessment tool, NbS guidelines, training materials) through the Cool Coalition.
• Support the organisation of events, trainings, workshops and study tours, including concept notes, agendas, logistics and meeting reports.
• Contribute to communications and outreach, including website content, newsletters and social media.
• Support resource mobilization efforts through the preparation of project proposals and concept notes.
• Take meeting notes, track follow-up actions and perform other related tasks as required.

Final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme in a field of study related to the internship (e.g. urban planning, environmental studies, climate change or a related field) is required. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English required. Knowledge of French is highly desirable.

Not available.

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.

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.