The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is offering a full-time, in-person Intern on Climate Action position at its Bonn Office in Germany. The internship lasts 3 to 6 months, ideally from 4 January 2027 to 3 July 2027, and is unpaid. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy, and every requirement is set out below.
Looking for similar placements? Browse more internship opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
About UNDRR and the Bonn Office
Created in December 1999, UNDRR is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for coordinating efforts to reduce disasters and for ensuring synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations, in both developed and less developed countries. It is led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG) and has over 160 staff in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices.
UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on global progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, while supporting regional and national implementation and working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.
Placement Format and Dates
📆 Duration: three to six months
🗓️ Ideal dates: 4 January 2027 to 3 July 2027
🏢 Format: full-time and in-person, five days per week
📍 Location: UNDRR Bonn Office, Germany
🧑🏫 Supervision: direct supervision of the Programme Officer
What the Intern Will Do
🧭 Substantive support to the comprehensive risk management portfolio: strengthening alignment and synergies between disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate action, environmental protection and broader sustainable development goals
🔬 Research on climate action: keeping abreast of developments, particularly adaptation, loss and damage, governance instruments (including national adaptation plans) and nationally determined contributions
🛠️ Development of tools, knowledge products and background documents: with particular emphasis on DRR in nationally determined contributions
🗣️ Stakeholder engagement: assisting with the organization and execution of activities, including communication, workshops and preparation of documentation, where necessary
📌 Other activities: assisting with other climate action and DRR work and ad hoc activities of the team
────────────────────────────────────────
🌍 All opportunities in Germany →
────────────────────────────────────────
Who Can Apply: Academic Requirements
To qualify for a United Nations internship, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
🎓 Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent) in fields related to programme management and environment affairs, including climate change or disaster risk reduction, environmental sciences or social sciences, geography, economics, statistics or data sciences
📚 Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in fields related to programme management, environment affairs, including climate change or disaster risk reduction, environmental or social sciences, geography, economics, statistics or data sciences
No working experience is required for the UN Internship Programme, but a field of study closely related to the internship is.
Skills Required
💻 Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Excel
Language Requirements
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this internship.
Is This UNDRR Internship Paid?
No. UN 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 or employment authorization, and successful candidates should discuss their visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. To compare unpaid and funded options, see our guide to paid internships abroad for students and recent graduates.
No Fee at Any Stage
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.
How to Apply
Indicate which academic criterion you meet and attach supporting documentation to your application. You may be required to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Intern on Climate Action do at UNDRR?
The intern supports UNDRR's work linking disaster risk reduction, climate action, environmental protection and sustainable development. Tasks include research on adaptation, loss and damage and nationally determined contributions, drafting tools and knowledge products, and helping with stakeholder workshops.
When does the internship start?
It is ideally from 4 January 2027 to 3 July 2027, with a duration of three to six months.
Is this internship in person?
Yes. It is designed to be full-time and in-person at the UNDRR Bonn Office, five days per week.
Which fields of study are accepted?
Fields related to programme management and environment affairs, including climate change or disaster risk reduction, environmental sciences or social sciences, geography, economics, statistics or data sciences.
Is the internship paid?
No. The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns, and interns cover their own travel, visa, accommodation and living costs.
Deadline
⏳ 22 November 2026
Links
🔗 Job description: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/287757?language=en
🔗 Apply (UN Inspira, Job Opening ID 287757): https://inspira.un.org/psp/PUNA1J/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Action=A&UNAction=Apply&JobOpeningId=287757&languageCd=ENG
