The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced applications for a wide range of internship opportunities for 2026, offering students and recent graduates the chance to gain hands-on experience in international environmental governance, sustainable development, communications, public information, finance, programme management, and scientific research.
Hosted across several global duty stations including Nairobi, Geneva, Bonn, and New York, the internships provide aspiring professionals with an opportunity to contribute to UNEP’s mission of addressing the world’s most pressing environmental challenges while developing valuable experience within the United Nations system.
UNEP, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, employs more than 2,000 professionals worldwide and works with governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and communities to promote sustainable environmental solutions. The organization also emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity through its commitment to the United Nations Gender Parity Strategy, Geographical Diversity Strategy, and Disability Inclusion Strategy.
Internship Opportunities Available
UNEP is currently recruiting interns across several departments and functional areas. These opportunities are suitable for individuals interested in environmental policy, communications, programme implementation, sustainability, finance, and international development.
Current internship openings include:
- Programme Support Intern – Nairobi, Kenya
- Public Information Intern – New York, United States
- Public Information Intern – Nairobi, Kenya
- Risk Management and Peacebuilding Section Intern – Nairobi, Kenya
- UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Internship for APAC Regional Team – Geneva, Switzerland
- UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Risk Center Internship – Support for Sustainability Risk Programming – Geneva, Switzerland
- Communications and Outreach Intern – Nairobi, Kenya
- Environmental Affairs Intern – Nairobi, Kenya
- CMS Intern (Scientific Unit) – Bonn, Germany
Areas of Work
The internship programme spans multiple disciplines, allowing participants to gain practical experience in areas such as:
- Environmental affairs and sustainability
- Programme management
- Public information and strategic communications
- Climate and environmental policy
- Sustainable finance
- Scientific research
- Risk management and peacebuilding
- Biodiversity conservation
- International environmental agreements
Interns will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced international professionals while contributing to projects that support UNEP’s global environmental agenda.
Global Internship Locations
The internship positions are based across several UNEP offices worldwide, including:
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Bonn, Germany
- New York, United States
These international placements provide interns with exposure to multicultural working environments and the opportunity to collaborate with experts from around the world.
Application Deadlines
Applications close on different dates throughout July 2026. Key deadlines include:
- July 3, 2026 – Programme Support Intern
- July 5, 2026 – Public Information Intern (New York)
- July 6, 2026 – Public Information Intern (Nairobi)
- July 8, 2026 – Risk Management and Peacebuilding Section Internship
- July 10, 2026 – UNEP Finance Initiative APAC Regional Team Internship
- July 14, 2026 – UNEP Finance Initiative Risk Center Internship
- July 16, 2026 – Communications and Outreach Internship
- July 17, 2026 – Environmental Affairs Internship
- July 23, 2026 – CMS Scientific Unit Internship
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the respective deadlines, as competition for UNEP internships is typically strong.
Why Apply for a UNEP Internship?
UNEP internships provide participants with practical exposure to international environmental governance while strengthening professional skills in a globally recognized institution.
Successful interns can expect to:
- Gain experience within the United Nations system.
- Work on projects addressing climate change, biodiversity, pollution, sustainable finance, and environmental policy.
- Collaborate with international experts and multidisciplinary teams.
- Build professional networks across global environmental institutions.
- Enhance their academic and career profiles through practical international experience.
These internships are particularly valuable for students and recent graduates pursuing careers in environmental science, public policy, communications, international relations, economics, law, sustainability, and development.
UNEP’s Commitment to Inclusive Recruitment
UNEP continues to promote an inclusive workforce by encouraging applications from qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. The organization supports gender equality, geographical diversity, and disability inclusion across all recruitment processes.
In line with United Nations recruitment policies, UNEP also reminds applicants that it does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application submission, interviews, processing, or training. Candidates are advised to remain vigilant against recruitment fraud and apply only through official UNEP recruitment channels.
For students and early-career professionals seeking international experience in environmental sustainability, these internships offer an opportunity to contribute to meaningful global initiatives while developing valuable professional skills within one of the world’s leading environmental organizations.
