JOB DESCRIPTION

Work Location

Geneva

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system”s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP”s Industry and Economy Division works with International and nongovernmental organizations, national and local governments, business and industry to develop and implement policies, strategies and practices that are cleaner and safer, incorporate environmental costs, use natural resources efficiently, reduce pollution and risks for humans and the environment, and enable the implementation of conventions and international agreements. Located within the UN Environment Programme Industry and Economy Division, the Resources and Markets Branch 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, and financial policies and practices in accordance with integrated policy-making approaches of sustainable development. Over the past years, the focus of Resources and Markets Branch has been UNEP’s work related to Green Economy. Tasks: The Economic and Fiscal Policy Unit conducts research and provides capacity building support and advisory services to enable the transition to inclusive and green economies.

• Carry out research and quantitative analysis in environmental economics, with emphasis on public finance, fiscal policy, and sustainable investment.
• Support the development, validation, and use of economic and econometric tools (including forecasting, simulations, and scenario analysis) to inform green transition strategies and fiscal recommendations.
• Contribute to policy research on sustainable fiscal policy and public finance, including assessments of subsidies and other key financial instruments.
• Prepare reports, policy briefs, case studies, and presentations on green public finance, macroeconomic analysis, and related topics, ensuring outputs are evidence-based and aligned with UNEP’s objectives.
• Conduct background research and desk reviews on environmental and public-finance issues, including sectoral topics such as textiles, agriculture, mining, and metals.
• Perform statistical analyses (including time-series analysis) using tools such as Matlab, GAMS, EViews, R, or Excel.
• Support Programme Managers with project management tasks, including tracking deliverables, coordinating with national counterparts, and assisting in meetings and workshops.
• Contribute to the drafting and review of policy frameworks on sustainability and public finance, ensuring alignment with UN-wide guidance and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Assist in organizing meetings, events, and stakeholder engagements at international fora linked to public finance, economics, and the environment.
• Support UNEP’s engagement with the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, including climate-related fiscal policy work, knowledge exchanges, and analytical inputs.
• Contribute to research and policy work on sustainable infrastructure investment, including identifying financing barriers and enabling conditions for resilient and low-carbon infrastructure.

Qualifications/special skills

Be enrolled in a graduate programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in Economics, Public Policy, Finance, Sustainable Development, or a related field. b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent). c. Have graduated with a university degree, and if selected, begin the internship within one year of graduation. Applicants should be computer literate and comfortable with standard software applications. They must show a strong interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the values of the UN Charter. They should also demonstrate the ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and be open to differing perspectives and viewpoints.

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

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.