UNDP is accepting applications for a six-month Climate and Energy Project Support internship at its Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition in Italy, open to office-based or home-based candidates and to all nationalities. The intern supports the day-to-day management of the climate and energy portfolio, from research and project coordination to communications and events. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full vacancy and set out the duties, requirements and application steps below.
About UNDP and the Rome Centre
UNDP is the United Nations' lead agency on international development. It supports countries and communities as they work to eradicate poverty, implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and it connects countries to the resources they need to help people build a better life.
The central purpose of the Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition is to ensure the effective implementation and further development of the strategic partnership between UNDP and the government of Italy across the objectives of sustainable development, advancing the broader partnership between UNDP and G7 and G20 countries. The Centre functions as the UNDP Office in Italy.
The Rome Centre's Programmes
The Rome Centre focuses on youth engagement in climate action, energy for development and climate finance, pursued through three initial main programmes:
💼 PISTA (Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance): aims to mobilise finance for climate, energy and environment by originating projects that contribute to the decarbonisation efforts of developing economies and their transition to climate-resilient economies, and by catalysing international financial resources toward these initiatives.
⚡ Energy for Growth: promotes access to sustainable energy in developing countries, contributing to SDG7, by helping partner countries unlock finance to scale up clean energy solutions, increase energy access and boost the energy transition.
🧑🤝🧑 Youth4Climate: promotes youth engagement in climate action, contributing to SDG13, by supporting youth-led and youth-inclusive solutions to environmental and climate challenges, both financially and through capacity development, and by giving young people a platform to engage with policymakers and global leaders.
🏛️ Broader mandate in Italy: the Centre engages with the Italian public and private sector to mobilise financial resources for development objectives, and supports Italy's international cooperation priorities within frameworks such as the G7 and G20 and National Strategies such as the Mattei Plan for Africa, including the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), the G7 Adaptation Accelerator Hub, the Digital Flagship for Africa, the AI Hub for Sustainable Development and crisis and recovery programmes.
What the Intern Will Do
The main objective of the assignment is to provide daily support to the UNDP Rome Centre in the day-to-day management of the climate and energy portfolio. The intern works under the guidance and technical supervision of team leaders, reports to the thematic team leaders and the operations lead, and works closely with technical experts.
🔬 Research and Analysis: assist in researching climate and energy topics, including sustainable energy solutions, renewable energy systems and climate change mitigation strategies, and compile and analyse data for reports and presentations.
🗂️ Project Coordination Support: aid in coordinating ongoing projects within the Climate and Energy portfolios, including project preparation and investment facilitation activities, track project progress and deadlines, and support logistics for meetings and events.
📝 Administrative Assistance: prepare documents, meeting minutes and correspondence for the Climate and Energy teams, and maintain organised digital and physical records of the portfolio's activities.
📣 Communication and Outreach: contribute to drafting communications materials, including social media posts, newsletters and briefing notes, and support outreach efforts to partners and stakeholders.
🎤 Event Support: help organise workshops, webinars and events related to climate and energy, and assist with logistical and technical arrangements during events.
🔧 Ad hoc: perform any other related duties required to support the effective functioning of the relevant team and the Rome Centre as a whole.
Who Can Apply
The vacancy is open to all nationalities. At the time of application, applicants to the UNDP internship programme must meet one of the following requirements:
🎓 Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher, with preference for master level) in fields such as Public Policy, Political Sciences, Environmental Science, Energy Studies, Climate Policy, International Relations, Economics, Engineering, Marketing or a related field.
📚 Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent) in one of the fields above.
🏅 Have graduated with a university degree as defined above and, if selected, start the internship within one year of graduation.
Skills and Experience
🧠 Strong research and analytical abilities
💻 Proficiency in MS Office and familiarity with project management tools
🌱 Interest in sustainable development and climate change issues
🧒 Knowledge at the intersection of youth and climate is an asset
✍️ Excellent writing skills, strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills
🗓️ Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
🌐 Familiarity with the UN system and/or other international organisations, multilateral and other academic and international institutions
🤝 Commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values
🚀 Strong willingness and ability to learn on the job
Language Requirements
🗣️ Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
🇮🇹 Working knowledge of another official UN language or Italian is an asset.
Core Competencies
UNDP lists the following competencies for the role:
⚖️ Corporate: demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards, promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP, displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability, and treats all people fairly without favouritism.
🧩 Professionalism: works toward creative solutions by analysing problems carefully and logically, has a dynamic, positive and adaptive attitude towards work-related challenges, facilitates discussions and meetings effectively, resolves conflicts as they arise, sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently, and is highly organised and detail oriented.
💬 Communication: writes and presents clearly and convincingly.
Stipend, Expenses and Insurance
Where an intern is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme, UNDP pays a stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend is paid on a monthly basis, and part-time arrangements are prorated accordingly. The source does not state the amount. Our guide on paid internships abroad explains how funded internships and traineeships usually work.
Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of that institution, government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support and the applicable UNDP stipend. No other payments of any kind are made to an intern by the office in connection with an internship agreement.
🧳 Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students.
🏖️ Interns accrue leave at the rate of 1.5 days per month. Accrued leave days not used by the end of the internship are forfeited, and unjustified absences exceeding a total of nine days are deducted from the monthly stipend.
🩺 Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship, and UNDP does not reimburse it. Applicants must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station. For applicants who are neither nationals nor residents of the duty station, the insurance must cover injury or illness that requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment, or results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains.
🔒 There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship, and interns cannot apply for, or be appointed to, any position during the period of their internship.
Documents Needed After Selection
If you are selected, you will be asked to provide electronic versions of the following documents within one week after selection:
🏫 A letter from your university confirming current enrolment and graduation date
🤲 If sponsored, a letter from your university confirming its sponsorship for the internship
✉️ A letter of recommendation from a professor
📄 A copy of your most recent school transcript
🛂 A copy of your passport
🧾 A completed UNDP internship application form
🖊️ A signed UNDP Internship Agreement
🩻 A Medical Certificate of Good Health
🛡️ Proof of medical insurance
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🌍 All opportunities in Italy →
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How to Apply
Include the following with your application:
🪪 A copy of your passport
📅 Your availability period
🏢 Whether your application is for home-based or office-based work
📍 Your residency location (city and country) during the internship period, in case your application is selected
Explore more placements in the Internship section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the UNDP Climate and Energy internship based?
The role is advertised as office based at the UNDP Rome Centre in Rome, Italy, or home based. Applicants must state in their application whether they apply for home-based or office-based work.
Can applicants of any nationality apply?
Yes. The vacancy is open to all nationalities. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate programme or in the final year of a first university degree, or have graduated and be able to start within one year of graduation.
Is the UNDP internship paid?
UNDP pays a monthly stipend to interns who are not financially supported by another institution or programme, intended to cover basic daily expenses such as meals and transportation. If an intern has external support, UNDP pays the difference, if any, between that support and the applicable stipend.
What languages do I need?
Excellent oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language or of Italian is an asset.
How long is the internship?
The internship lasts six months and is a full-time assignment.
Deadline
⏳ 19 November 2026
Links
🔗 UNDP vacancy and application page: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/37931
