United Nations Environment Programme is looking for an Intern (Banking Programme)

Organization: United Nations Environment Programme

Location: GENEVA

Level: INT - I-1

Job Family: ENV

Application Deadline: 24 May 2026 at 03:59 UTC

Job Opening Number: 26-United Nations Environment Programme-276937-Consultant

Apply via: UN Inspira Portal

Work Location: Geneva

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 530 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 350 banks representing ~USD 98 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 500 member banks in more than 80 countries around the world. This includes overseeing and supporting the implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking.

Tasks

The following subteams of the Banking Team are looking for their next interns

Implementation Support Team: The Implementation Support Team provides technical assistance to member banks in implementing the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB). It works closely with UNEP FI’s thematic (e.g. Nature, Climate, Social Issues) and cross cutting teams (Impact and Policy) to develop guidance and support banks throughout their PRB journey. The intern will contribute to project management and research activities, including:

• Supporting PRB implementation projects and working groups
• Contributing to thematic guidance development
• Conducting research on sustainable banking topics (e.g. Nature & Biodiversity, Climate & Net-Zero, Financial Inclusion)

Membership Team: The Membership Team manages relationships and communications with members and external stakeholders. It is responsible for delivering support services such as webinars, Q&A materials, events, and workshops, as well as maintaining the members database. The team works closely with Regional Coordinators and the Communications Team. The intern will support both logistical and content related aspects of member engagement, including communication and coordination of activities.

Review Team: The Review Team focuses on accountability processes, including individual feedback reviews for over 340 PRB banks. It also compiles and analyzes review data to inform reviews for over 340 PRB banks. It also compiles and analyzes review data to inform guidance and membership management, in collaboration with regional coordinators and guidance and membership management, in collaboration with regional coordinators and subject-matter experts. The intern will mainly:

• Support individual review processes
• Assist with data management and analysis

Cross-cutting Responsibilities

Depending on skills and experience, the intern may also be involved in broader activities across the Banking Team. These can include supporting PRB across the Banking Team. These can include supporting PRB--related project management, related project management, participating in meetings with banks and external stakeholders, and conducting participating in meetings with banks and external stakeholders, and conducting research on search on sustainable finance topics. There may also be opportunities to explore areas of personal sustainable finance topics. There may also be opportunities to explore areas of personal interest and gradually take ownership of smaller initiatives.

Development Opportunity

Over the course of the internship, the intern will progressively take on more responsibility, with increasing opportunities to manage tasks and small projects independently.

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.

Relevant experience and studies in finance, economics, sustainable development, communications, environmental sciences and/or international relations/affairs. Master's degree in finance,economics, sustainability, environmental sciences, policy 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.

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

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 enrollment from current University (if not graduated).
3. A copy of the degree certificate (if you have already graduated). 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.

Special Notice

Your application for this internship must include:

1. 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.
2. 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.

While we do our best in sharing high quality job postings, Jobs in Geneva can't guarantee or be made responsible for the content in the postings (e.g. specified deadlines or links).