Sustainable Fiscal Policy and Public Finance Intern

Support project design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting for UNEP.

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UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Wednesday 4 Jun 2025 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Support project design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting for UNEP.

You have:

  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent).
  • Have graduated with a university degree and must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
  • Benefit from having a degree in related fields such as economics, environment, public policy, international relations.
  • Have previous work experience on issues regarding the green economy.
  • Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs.
  • Fluency in oral and written English is required.
  • Knowledge of another UN Language, particularly Spanish, is desirable.

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Work Location

Geneva

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system, acting as a catalyst, advocate, educator, and facilitator to promote sustainable development through the effective use of the global environment. Its Industry and Economy Division (IED) plays a leading role in the Green Economy Initiative, which aims to shift national economies towards a sustainable trajectory. By doing so, it seeks to ensure that growth is driven by increased investment in green sectors and a transition of consumers’ preferences to sustainable goods and services. Located within this Division, the Resources and Markets Branch (RMB) examines the manner in which economics, trade, and finance interact with the environment, thereby contributing to sustainable development at the local, national, regional, and global levels. It does so by working with countries through analytical studies in partnerships with UN agencies, intergovernmental institutions, governments, academic institutes, businesses, and civil society organizations to support the shift to an inclusive green economy. Among its areas of work, the Economic and Trade Policy Unit (ETPU) supports global efforts on green fiscal policy reforms by advising countries on how fiscal policies can support the inclusive green economy and thus delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals across different sectors. Tasks: •Support programmatic tasks related to project design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting for projects on issues such as but not related to net-zero and nature-positive integration as well as sustainable fiscal policy and public finance; •Support policy research and advocacy work related to the area of sustainable fiscal policy and public policy, which includes but is not limited to harmful subsidies, specifically those related to agriculture and fossil fuels, and sustainable budgeting; •Support the communications efforts of UNEP ETPU and the Green Fiscal Policy Network; •Support the implementation of necessary administrative and operational tasks, including reporting on team activities; •Support the programmatic, policy, communications, administrative, and operational needs of other teams within the unit. •Support the team and unit with other activities as requested.

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. The candidate would benefit from having a degree in related fields such as economics, environment, public policy, international relations. Moreover, s/he would benefit from previous work experience on issues regarding the green economy. These experiences should be backed by strong soft skills, ranging from those related to research and communication to being highly motivated and good at self-organization. Applicants will be expected to be computer literate in standard software applications; 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 be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

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, particularly Spanish, is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.

Potential interview questions

Describe a time when you worked on a policy research project related to fiscal policy. The interviewer wants to understand your practical experience in policy research. Provide a specific example and explain your role and contributions.
How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects at once? This question assesses your organizational skills and time management. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of how you handled a disagreement with a colleague from a different cultural background? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What attracts you to the work of the United Nations, particularly in sustainability? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you approach research on harmful subsidies in agriculture? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What software are you most comfortable using for data analysis and reporting? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you explain the significance of sustainable budgeting? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a situation where you had to advocate for an idea or policy. What was the outcome? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org