Policy and Advocacy Intern – Climate and Security Risk (Remote/office based) is a UNDP internship opportunity based in New York, United States, with flexible remote or office-based arrangements, offering early-career professionals the chance to gain hands-on experience in climate security, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and international policy advocacy. This full-time UNDP internship sits within the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and focuses on addressing the growing climate–conflict nexus, climate-related security risks, and peace-positive climate action. This opportunity is ideal for students or recent graduates seeking exposure to UN policy processes, climate change research, global security frameworks, and development programming.
This article is for informational purposes only and advertises the vacancy independently.
Background & Job Description
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recognizes that climate change is no longer only an environmental issue—it is increasingly a development, governance, and security challenge. Climate change can act as a risk multiplier, intensifying existing political, social, and economic stresses, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Over the past two decades, the international community has paid growing attention to the climate–security nexus, including within the UN Security Council. While climate change does not directly cause conflict, it can exacerbate vulnerabilities, strain institutions, and increase exposure to instability, especially where governance systems are weak.
UNDP plays a central role in this space as the largest UN implementer of climate adaptation and mitigation projects, while also managing the largest conflict prevention and peacebuilding portfolio in the UN system. Through its Climate Security Offer, UNDP integrates expertise across climate, environment, peace, and security to promote peace-positive climate action and strengthen resilience at local, national, and regional levels.
The Policy and Advocacy Intern – Climate and Security Risk will support UNDP’s work in advancing integrated approaches to climate action and sustaining peace, contributing to policy analysis, advocacy, research, communications, and knowledge management. The internship runs for three months and is designed as a learning opportunity, not a pathway to immediate employment.
UNDP Opens Climate & Security Policy Internship (Remote-Friendly)
Tasks
Under the supervision of the Team Leader – Climate Security Risk, the intern will contribute to a wide range of policy, advocacy, research, and coordination activities, including but not limited to:
- Supporting policy and advocacy initiatives, including collecting project data and drafting communication materials, success stories, and event content
- Assisting in the development of a compendium of good practices related to climate, peace, and security programming
- Conducting basic qualitative and quantitative research, including collecting, analyzing, and presenting data from diverse sources
- Supporting data analytics and visualization, including preparation of infographics, factsheets, and summaries
- Drafting content to promote events, publications, and policy outputs across UNDP communication platforms
- Providing administrative and substantive support to meetings, workshops, and events, including background notes and presentations
- Supporting ad-hoc tasks related to climate security policy work as needed
These tasks are designed to give interns practical exposure to UN policy processes, inter-agency collaboration, and evidence-based advocacy.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in a graduate degree programme (Master’s level or equivalent)
- Be enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree programme
- Have graduated within the last year and be able to start the internship within 12 months of graduation
Fields of study may include international development, political science, environmental studies, climate policy, peace and security, or related disciplines.
Experience
- Demonstrated interest or academic exposure to climate change, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, security, or resilience
- Strong understanding of international development and global policy issues
- Experience in research, writing, or communications is an asset
- Experience working in field or international settings is desirable but not required
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and collaborate in multicultural teams
Language requirement:
- Fluency in English is required
- Knowledge of another UN language is an asset
Additional Information
- Duty Station: New York, United States (remote or office-based)
- Contract Type: Internship Programme
- Duration: 3 months (minimum 6 weeks, maximum 6 months under UNDP rules)
- Schedule: Full-time
- Stipend: UNDP interns are eligible for a monthly stipend, subject to duty station rules
- Costs: Interns are responsible for travel, accommodation, visas, and insurance
- Equipment: Interns must use their own laptop
This internship does not lead to employment with UNDP and interns are not considered UN staff members.
Apply Here
Official UNDP vacancy link:
👉 https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=31375
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