[Hiring] Climate and Health Intern @UNDP

Role Description

Provide support to the work conducted by UNDP’s HIV and Health Pillar, specifically in the following areas:

• Support UNDP’s work on air quality and super pollutants that affect both climate and health, by:
  • Leading data analysis and drafting policy briefs and presentations to support the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy and NDC 3.0 implementation in South Africa.
  • Contributing to research and drafting for an investment case on ambient air pollution in South Africa.
• Support UNDP’s ongoing work on climate change, air pollution and health, including preparations towards the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP31) and 17th UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17), including coordination with partners.
• Support UNDP’s preparations and engagement towards the second UN High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPPR HLM) taking place in New York in September 2026, including support research, consultation and drafting of a UNDP position paper towards PPPR.

This is a home-based, remote internship.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a graduate school programme as a full-time student in International Studies, Science, Public Health, Public Policy or Development Studies or another relevant and related topics (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
• Enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
• Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation.

Requirements

• Experience working in health and/or development with extensive academic training in related areas.
• Experience in the development and conduct of research and writing assignments.
• Experience in data analysis and presentation.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.

Benefits

• UNDP will provide a monthly stipend in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy.
• All other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or by the sponsoring Government or institution.

Company Description

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• UNDP focuses on the development dimensions of health and leverages its strengths in health, sustainable development, financing, climate, governance, and digital/AI strategies.
• UNDP works with governments, civil society, UN agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), international organizations, academia, local research institutions, and the private sector to advance progress on health and development.
• UNDP is a founding co-sponsor of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and a long-standing partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.