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.

As part of UNEP-RMB, the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) (www.unepfi.org) is a unique global partnership between the UNEP and the private financial sector. UNEP FI works closely with over 500 financial institutions that are signatories to the UNEP FI Statements of Environmental Commitment, and a range of partner organizations to develop and promote linkages between the environment, sustainability and financial performance. Through its industry commissions, thematic advisory groups and regional activities, UNEP FI carries out its mission to identify, promote, and realize the adoption of sustainability practice at all levels of financial institution operations.

The financial community has a critical role to play in safeguarding the world’s ecosystems such as oceans, forests, land, and their biodiversity, provide much of the raw materials, goods and services which underpin the global economy. At risk from over-exploitation and environmental degradation, there is an urgent need to manage these natural assets more effectively in order to ensure the health and wellbeing of society, and stability of businesses and the financial system at the heart of the economy.

UNEP FI works with members and partners to embed environmentally sustainable decision-making into mainstream finance (www.unepfi.org/ecosystems/ecosystems/). We provide technical research and guidance, working with the financial community on cutting-edge innovations and frameworks, and developing industry-wide tools linking science, policy, economics and finance, bringing nature to the heart of financial decision-making.

The intern would join this motivated team and report to the team lead, working on a range of exciting and cutting-edge initiatives aiming to mainstream the topic of Nature Finance across financial actors, such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD), Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative (SBEFI) and Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA) and so on.

Responsibility:

The intern will work with the Nature Lead support the UNEP FI Secretariat on the following tasks:

1) Support internal work under the umbrella topic of aligning financial flows with the Global Biodiversity Framework. This will include work across the topics of portfolio alignment, TNFD, blue/ocean finance, food systems, biodiversity credits, policy / enabling environment, and make crosslinks with wider UNEP FI work around climate change, pollution, just transition and policymaking.

2) Undertake desktop research on nature and finance-related themes especially around metrics, indicators, and data.

3) Collate information from various sources including technical reports, industry publications, webinars, company disclosures, etc. Monitor for academic publications on related themes and convert these into digestible highlights.

4) Carry out applied research for the purpose of drafting targeted presentations, briefing notes and speaking points.

5) Provide project coordination, administrative and communications support on ongoing projects and initiatives for example tracking sheet maintenance, organizing and minuting calls.

6) Take initiative on a piece of applied research on a relevant topic and/or other additional duties relevant to their own areas of interest in this field (can be technological, creative or otherwise innovative in nature), as agreed with the supervisor.

7) Support the programme and team on tasks and activities on ad-hoc basis.

The candidate should have strong quantitative and technical skills relevant to ecosystems and finance, relevant to risk and/or sustainable finance. S/he should have completed, or close to completing, a masters or strong undergraduate degree in a relevant domain and ideally have some exposure to banking, finance, and/or insurance industries. Excellent research, communication and writing skills in English, as well as a high degree of motivation and self-organization are required. Skills in relating to data management and analysis, especially spatial applications, would be an advantage.

Competencies:

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.

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.

Final year undergraduate or master’s degree student in Environmental Studies, Finance, Business Administration, other related themes, or recently graduated (candidates are eligible for this position up to one year after the graduation date). The intern must be able to show proof of enrolment or of graduation date if selected for this position. 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. 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

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).
Proof of enrollment from current University (if not graduated).
A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated). Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. "In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern."

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 hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice

Your application for this internship must include:

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.

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.

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Added 7 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: careers.un.org