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.
Located within the UN Environment Division of Economy, the Resources & Markets Branch (UNEP-RMB)
seeks to conserve the environment, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable development by enhancing the
capacity of governments, businesses, and civil society to integrate environmental considerations into
economic, trade, and financial policies and practices in accordance with the partnership and integrated
policy-making approaches of sustainable development.
The UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) (www.unepfi.org) is a unique global partnership between
UN Environment and about 500 banks, insurers and investors from around the world. Together we work
towards integrating environmental concerns into lending and investment as well as strategic decisions. The
aim is to increase financing for sustainable businesses and projects and thereby contribute to international
Climate Targets as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.
On 22nd September 2019, UNEP FI member banks representing USD 47 trillion and with that over a third of
the global banking industry officially signed and launched the Principles for Responsible Banking. The
Principles for Responsible Banking guide the change towards a new, sustainable global banking industry that
takes on a key role in helping society to achieve its goals for a sustainable future. With these Principles,
banks commit to strategically align their business with and scale up their contributions to the Sustainable
Development Goals and the objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate. Today, over 320 banks
representing USD 89 trillion in assets have committed to implementing the Principles for Responsible
Banking.
UNEP FI’s banking team is responsible for the initiative’s work with its over 330 member banks in more than
80 countries around the world. This includes overseeing and supporting the implementation of the Principles
for Responsible Banking.
The UNEP FI Internship for Banking Support is for six (6) months.
The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.
Interns work five days per week (35-40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.
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.
The following subteams of the Banking Team are looking for their next interns;
- The Implementation Support Team plays a vital role in providing technical assistance to member
banks in implementing the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and offering customized support
throughout their PRB journey. Working closely with UNEP FI's Thematic (Nature, Social Issues...) and
cross-cutting (Impact and Policy) teams, the Implementation Support Team develops foundational
and thematic guidance in collaboration with member banks. The intern will assist in project
management for ongoing PRB implementation-related projects and working groups, the
development of thematic guidance through working groups and collective engagement formats and
research on sustainable banking topics relevant to ongoing projects. This would involve supporting
various topics such as Nature & Biodiversity, Climate & Net-Zero transition, Climate Adaptation, and
Financial Inclusion.
- Governance and Membership Team is responsible for managing the relationship and
communications with our members and external stakeholders. The team supports the banking
governance bodies, the Banking Board and CSAB. The team is responsible for informing and
delivering support services to the banking membership incl: communications with new and existing
members, information formats (webinars, Q&As documents, events, etc.), infrastructure (members
database) and implementation workshops. The work is carried out in close collaboration / jointly
with UNEP FI’s Regional Coordinators and Communications Team. The intern will support the
organization and preparation of support activities both logistically and in terms of content, support
with communication and engagement with our banking members as well as various external
stakeholders.
- The Review Team is responsible for tasks and processes related to accountability. This includes the
individual and feedback review processes with the 330+ PRB banks, which aims to provide individual
support to PRB banks. In addition, the team compiles and shares data gathered from reviews to
inform guidance, support work, and membership management. The Review Team closely
collaborates with regional coordinators and leverages subject-matter expertise within the Banking
Team and UNEP FI to provide targeted support to banks. The intern will support the individual review
processes and data management projects.
Depending on skills, background and preferences, cross-cutting missions can include:
- Support the project management of the UNEP FI’s Principles for Responsible Banking
- Participate in meetings and calls with member banks as well as experts and external stakeholders
- Work on topics of own interest
- Carry out research on Sustainable Finance
- If level of experience allows, set up and manage own initiatives with the banking members as the
internship progresses.
Over the course of the internship, the intern will gradually be given increasing opportunity to manage tasks
and small projects independently.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
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.
Relevant experience and studies in finance, economics, sustainable development, communications, environmental sciences and/or international relations/affairs.
Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
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.
LanguagesEnglish 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.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Your application for this internship must include:
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 enrolment from current University (if not graduated).
3. A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).
Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
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.