UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Risk Center Internship - Support for Sustainability Risk Programming

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the global environmental authority. UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a strategic public-private partnership with over 400 financial institutions, establishing key sustainability frameworks. The UNEP FI Risk Centre works directly with financial institutions to advance understanding of climate, nature, and finance intersections, leveraging UN convening power to accelerate best practices in sustainability risk management. This internship supports the Risk Centre's programming.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this internship is to support the UNEP FI Risk Centre in delivering its 2025/2026 and 2027 programmes, focusing on climate and nature risk programming for financial professionals. The intern will assist climate and nature risk specialists in developing events and publications that advance financial institutions' understanding of critical topics like climate and nature data, climate scenario analysis, sustainability risk management integration, and disclosure best practices. This role is crucial for leveraging the UN's convening power to accelerate the development of best practices for measuring and managing climate and nature risks and opportunities. The intern will contribute to creating guidance and tools in collaboration with leading partners from academia and advisory firms, supporting the creation of a sustainable financial sector. Ultimately, this position helps UNEP FI build knowledge and action within the financial sector to mobilize it in addressing climate and other sustainability risks, supporting the low-carbon transition through the development of impactful tools, papers, and workshops.

Responsibilities

The intern will primarily assist in implementing and planning the UNEP FI Risk Centre’s 2025/2026 and 2027 programmes. Key responsibilities include conducting comprehensive research on the latest developments in risk assessment and management practices, covering climate, nature, social-related risks, opportunities, impacts, and sustainability-related regulations, policies, and disclosure guidance relevant to the financial sector. The role involves evaluating financial sector practices concerning climate risks and opportunities (both physical and transition risks), as well as nature and other sustainability risks and opportunities, including social and just transition, and pollution. Furthermore, the intern will contribute significantly to the drafting, editing, and updating of research project outputs, such as publications (research reports, studies) and analytical tools (spreadsheets, dashboards). Operational support is also a crucial aspect, encompassing the day-to-day coordination of research project management and Risk Centre communications, including organizing meetings and taking detailed notes. The intern will also assist with preparations for various events, involving logistical planning and agenda setting. General Risk Centre operations, such as email and calendar management, website updates, and maintaining member lists, will also be supported. Building a network and rapport with members, partners, and other UN teams is also an expected duty to ensure programme success.

Work Experience

Professional work experience is not required for this internship. However, applicants must demonstrate an academic background closely related to the internship's focus, such as economics, social sciences, natural sciences, environmental science, public policy, sustainable development, business administration, or finance.

Skills

Research and analytical skills; Drafting and editing research outputs (publications, tools); Project coordination and communication (meeting organization, note-taking); Event preparation (logistical planning, agenda setting); Operational support (email/calendar management, website updates); Networking and relationship building; Fluency in oral and written English.

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