Geneva/Remote

6 months

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 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. Endorsed by the UN Secretary-General and insurance industry CEOs, the Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI) serve as a global framework for the insurance industry to address environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities—such as climate change, nature loss, pollution, human rights and social inequality—as risk managers, insurers and investors. The PSI is a global initiative to strengthen the insurance industry’s contribution to building resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities and economies on a healthy planet. The PSI is the largest initiative between the UN and the global insurance industry with more than 270 organization that have joined the initiative, as of January 2025. At the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the V20—68 climate-vulnerable economies with a total population of 1.7 billion—launched the V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility (SIF). The SIF is a project pipeline development facility, convened under Principles for Sustainable Insurance initiative (PSI) to assist V20 economies in scoping the financial protection needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)—the backbone of V20 economies. It aims to deliver climate-smart insurance solutions that would build the climate resilience of MSMEs in climate-vulnerable nations. Other insurance related initiatives within UNEP include the Forum for Insurance Transition to Net Zero (FIT) which is a structured dialogue and multistakeholder platform led and convened by the United Nations to support the necessary acceleration and scaling up of voluntary climate action by the insurance industry and key stakeholders. The Convenor, Chair and Spokesperson of the FIT is UNEP, which provides and serves as the Secretariat. The FIT works with insurance market participants (e.g. insurers, reinsurers, re/insurance marketplaces, brokers) and engages with insurance regulators and supervisors, net-zero standard setters and initiatives, the scientific and academic community, civil society, and other key stakeholders (e.g. sustainability disclosure initiatives, real economy actors). More information available at: https://www.unepfi.org/psi/ The intern would be part of UNEP FI’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance initiative (PSI). As such, depending on skills, background, and preferences, they would: - Support with communication with insurance members as well as various external stakeholders - Support the programme management of the PSI, various insurance initiatives and notably on supporting the work on the V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility, the insurance for Nature Positive, or other insurance initiatives. - Support the organization of meetings and events, both logistically and in terms of content. - Carry out research on sustainable insurance topics. - Keep the Principles for Sustainable Insurance initiative (PSI) web-presence up to date. - Participate in meetings and calls with insurance members as well as experts and external stakeholders. - Assist with other tasks as relevant. - Work on topics of own interest. Over the course of the internship, the intern will gradually be given an increasing opportunity to manage tasks and small projects independently.

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, insurance, economics, sustainable development, communications, environmental sciences and/or international relations/affairs. 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.

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.

Your application for this internship must include: 1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. 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 - 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). Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. 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.

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.