The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is looking for a Pollution and Circular Economy Support intern for 6 months, working remotely or in Geneva, Switzerland, with applications closing on 08 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed this unpaid UN internship, which places you in a recently launched workstream where plastic pollution, chemicals pollution and the circular economy meet global finance.
The United Nations Environment Programme and Its Industry and Economy Division
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. It 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 overall objective of UNEP's Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies, practices and technologies that:
🛒 Promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production
🪨 Make efficient use of natural resources
🧪 Ensure safe management of chemicals
🚢 Contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive
The Division also promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.
UNEP FI: A Partnership Between the UN and Over 500 Financial Institutions
UNEP FI is the strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers and investors. For over 34 years, it 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 the Sustainable Development Goals.
Why Does Pollution Matter to the Financial Sector?
Pollution and Circular Economy is a thematic focus area recently launched by UNEP FI. Pollution has a pervasive impact on people and society, on biodiversity loss and on climate change. One of the root causes of pollution, as well as of climate change and biodiversity loss, is the unsustainable use of natural resources in our production and consumption models.
A key part of the solution to the three planetary crises on climate, nature and pollution is the transition to a more resource efficient and circular economy, in which:
🚯 Waste and pollution are eliminated
🔁 Products and materials are kept in use at their highest value
🌳 Natural systems are regenerated
This is a priority not only for the planet and for our health, but also for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and for building more resilient economies. The global financial sector has a pivotal role to play in this transition.
How UNEP FI Supports the Move to Less Polluting Economies
UNEP FI works with members and partners to support the transition to less polluting and more circular economies, at both global and regional level. Its work in this area includes:
📖 Providing research and guidance
📢 Raising awareness and building capacity within the financial community
🤝 Facilitating peer exchange and collective action
🏛️ Engaging with policymakers, such as in the context of the negotiation of the future international legally binding plastics treaty, which the listing describes as expected to be finalised by end of 2024
The intern joins the Pollution and Circular Economy workstream and works on a range of cutting-edge initiatives, in collaboration with other UNEP FI thematic streams and external stakeholders.
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Your Own Piece of Applied Research
The intern assists with implementing UNEP FI's work programme related to the Pollution and Circular Economy workstream. Daily responsibilities may vary depending on your background, and the duties below are not exhaustive.
The first duty is to support internal work on pollution, especially plastic and chemicals pollution, and on the circular economy. You are expected to take initiative on a piece of applied research on a relevant topic and/or on other additional duties relevant to your own areas of interest in this field. These can be technological, creative or otherwise innovative in relation to pollution and/or the circular economy, and are agreed with the supervisor.
You will also support the on-going development of UNEP FI's support, guidance materials, case studies, capacity building programme and other work related to pollution and the circular economy.
Four Groups You Will Work Alongside
A large part of the role is supporting the groups that bring financial institutions together on these topics:
🏗️ Circular Economy Working Group: develops a series of guidance documents for banks on how to operationalise the nexus between the circular economy and the broader sustainability agenda, especially in sectors with high impact and strong circular potential.
💬 Circular Economy Community of Practice: you support its establishment and activities. It aims to foster knowledge sharing and peer exchange within the finance sector, as well as multistakeholder exchange, including with development banks.
🌾 Pollution Working Group: develops guidance on pollution for banks, especially in high impact sectors like agriculture and buildings and construction.
🧴 Finance Leadership Group on Plastics: a core group of financial institutions contributing to the development process of the future international plastics treaty currently under negotiation by Member States, and co-developing resources to help financial institutions tackle plastic pollution in their portfolios.
Research, Metrics and Turning Publications Into Highlights
On the research side, the intern will:
📊 Carry out research on pollution, circular economy and finance-related themes, especially around metrics, indicators and data, as well as norms and practices
🗂️ Collate information on pollution and the circular economy from various sources, including technical reports, industry publications, webinars and company disclosures
🔍 Monitor academic publications on related themes and convert them into digestible highlights
Coordination, Administration and Communications
The role also has a practical, day-to-day side:
📞 Assist with day-to-day coordination of communications with the participants of UNEP FI's Pollution and Circular Economy Working Groups, the Finance Leadership Group on Plastics, the Circular Economy Community of Practice and other interest groups, including general liaison and setting up meetings
👥 Liaise with other UNEP FI teams as relevant
📋 Provide project coordination, administrative and communications support on ongoing projects and initiatives
📑 Maintain tracking sheets
📝 Organise and minute calls
🎥 Support the production and dissemination of communication materials, such as webinars and brochures
Who Can Apply: The Academic Status Rule
At the time of application, you must meet one of the following requirements:
🎓 Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
📚 Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent)
📜 Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation
The listing also states that applicants must be a student in the final year of a 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.
Fields of Study and Experience
The internship calls for relevant experience and final year undergraduate or master's degree studies, or recent graduation, in one of these areas or other related themes:
💹 Finance
📈 Economics
🌱 Sustainable development
🌐 Environmental studies
🕊️ International relations or international affairs
Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study closely related to the type of internship you are applying for is required.
Language Requirements
🗣️ English: fluency in oral and written English is required
🇫🇷 French: knowledge is desirable
🇪🇸 Spanish: knowledge is desirable
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
Remote or in Geneva: Duration and Position Details
📍 Work location: remote or in Geneva, Switzerland
📅 Expected duration: 6 months
🏢 Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme
🏷️ Category and level: Affiliate Personnel, Internships, I-1
👤 Recruitment type: Intern
🌎 Job family: ENV
🔢 Job Opening ID: 286691
Is This Internship Paid?
No. 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. Our guide to internships abroad for students and recent graduates explains how paid and funded routes differ, which can help when you plan your budget.
Visas and Work Authorization
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 at Any Stage
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview meeting, processing or training. It also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
How to Apply
The application asks you to address the criteria directly, so prepare the following before you submit:
✍️ Explain how your field of study is closely related to this internship and how you meet this criterion
☑️ Indicate which of the academic status requirements you meet
📎 Attach proof of your academic status to the application
🏫 Be ready to provide an official certificate at a later stage
Find more roles like this one among the internship and traineeship opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need work experience for the UNEP FI Pollution and Circular Economy Support Internship?
No. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. A field of study closely related to the internship is required, and you are asked to explain how you meet this criterion.
Can I do this internship remotely?
Yes. The work location is stated as remote or in Geneva, Switzerland. The expected duration is 6 months in either case.
Can I apply if I have already graduated?
Yes, if you have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. Current graduate students and students in the final academic year of a first university degree can also apply.
Does the United Nations pay interns or cover their costs?
No. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
Is French required for this UN internship?
No. Fluency in oral and written English is required, while knowledge of French and Spanish is desirable.
What kind of research would I do at UNEP FI?
You are expected to take initiative on a piece of applied research on a relevant topic, agreed with your supervisor, which can be technological, creative or otherwise innovative. You will also research pollution, circular economy and finance-related themes, especially metrics, indicators and data, as well as norms and practices.
Which groups would the intern support?
The intern supports the Circular Economy Working Group, the Circular Economy Community of Practice, the Pollution Working Group and the Finance Leadership Group on Plastics. This includes day-to-day coordination of communications with their participants.
Do I have to pay anything to apply?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview meeting, processing or training.
Deadline
⏳ 08 November 2026
Links
Job description: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/286691?language=en
