Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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. UN Environment’s Economy Division works with international and non-governmental 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 UN Environment’s Economy Division, the Resources and Market Branch (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 integrated policy-making approaches of sustainable development. Over the past years, the focus of the RMB has been UN Environment’s work related to an Inclusive Green Economy. This recruitment is for one internship position within the RMB’s Economic and Trade Policy Unit, in the Fiscal Policy Team. The Economic and Trade Policy Unit is developing and promoting macro-economic analysis and tools to support the transition of countries to resource-efficient, low-carbon and inclusive green economies. This includes global- and country-level research activities and policy advice, as well as targeted stakeholder dialogues. The position will be linked to the following work streams, which include research activities, policy advice, advocacy, and capacity building on the following topics: o Fiscal policy reform o Green finance and investment o Green recovery This area of work explores the role of fiscal policy as an instrument to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implement the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Climate Agreement. It supports global efforts on green fiscal policy reforms and advises countries on how fiscal policies can support the inclusive green economy and delivery of the SDGs across different sectors from water, energy and extractives to agriculture and fisheries among others, as part of the GIZ funded “Supporting inclusive green economy approaches to sustainable development” project. It also includes the work of the Green Fiscal Policy Network (GFPN) – a joint partnership between UNEP, the German Development Agency (GIZ) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and dialogue on green fiscal policies. Tasks: Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Economic and Trade Policy Unit, the intern will support the team with the following tasks: o Prepare concept notes and briefing notes in the area of green fiscal policy; o Carry out background research to support the development of new project proposals and on-going projects on green fiscal policies; o Assist with the overall implementation and dissemination of fiscal policy studies, including support to the review, production and dissemination of studies and updating inventories of fiscal knowledge products; o Supporting the Green Fiscal Policy Network: this includes updating the Network website with relevant news items and recent research of interest to the GFPN partners and virtual community; managing communications with contributors to the GFPN; updating the Network’s contact database, strengthening the Green Fiscal Policy Network’s social media visibility and supporting the preparation and dissemination of communication materials and blogs through the Network website; o Prepare communication materials and support outreach activities on fiscal policy and green finance, update a global events calendar, and assist with the organisation of workshops, events and conferences in the area of green fiscal policies; o Support the monitoring and planning of the work of the team, including updating the progress of the fiscal work stream based on inputs from colleagues; and o Supporting ongoing work related to the role of fiscal policies in greening recovery from COVID-19 o Supporting ongoing work related to the development of sustainable budgeting instruments o Supporting ongoing work related to the reform of harmful subsidies o Supporting ongoing work related to the use of fiscal policies to accelerate the transition to a green economy in high impact sectors, including agriculture and plastic o Support and assist in work being done under the NZNP/PAGE initiative by the fiscal and/or other teams under the ETPU o Support ongoing work related to the use of fiscal policy and price incentives more broadly to accelerate the transition to a circular economy o Support the team with other activities as requested. The Economy Division/ ETPU internship is for six (6) months. The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned
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) in Economic Policy, International Environmental Policies, International Development, Sustainable Development, International Relations, Public Policy, Political/Social Sciences or a related area; c. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Be computer literate in standard software applications. Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
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.