The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is offering a highly impactful remote internship opportunity under its Health Practice Area within the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support. The Climate and Health Internship is designed for graduate students, final-year undergraduate students, and recent graduates seeking professional exposure in global health, climate policy, sustainable development, and environmental governance.

This full-time, home-based internship provides interns with the opportunity to contribute to international policy research, climate-health initiatives, air pollution analysis, and strategic preparations for major global conferences and health governance engagements.

About UNDP and Its Global Development Mandate

The United Nations Development Programme serves as the leading UN agency focused on sustainable development and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Operating across global, regional, and national levels, UNDP combines policy expertise, research, and technical support to address complex development challenges.

Under the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026–2029, the organisation prioritises:

Sustainable and inclusive development
Climate resilience and environmental sustainability
Effective governance systems
Digital transformation and innovation
Public health and social equity

UNDP collaborates extensively with governments, international institutions, civil society, academia, and the private sector to strengthen sustainable health systems and climate-responsive development strategies.

Internship Overview and Key Information

The Climate and Health Internship is a short-term but intensive professional development opportunity that combines environmental policy, public health research, and climate governance.

Position Details

Position Title: Climate and Health Intern
Organisation: UNDP
Location: Remote/Home-Based
Duty Station Reference: New York, United States
Contract Duration: 3 Months
Employment Type: Full-Time Internship
Practice Area: Health
Application Deadline: 29 May 2026

The internship supports UNDP’s HIV and Health Pillar, particularly within projects focused on climate change, air pollution, biodiversity, and pandemic preparedness.

Strategic Focus Areas of the Internship

The internship addresses the growing intersection between climate change and public health. Climate-related risks increasingly affect:

Respiratory diseases
Heat-related mortality
Food insecurity
Mental health
Air pollution exposure
Pandemic risks linked to biodiversity loss

UNDP’s climate-health initiatives seek to strengthen:

National adaptation plans
Climate financing strategies
Low-emission development frameworks
Pandemic preparedness systems
Environmental health governance

The internship therefore offers direct exposure to globally significant policy and sustainability challenges.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The selected intern will support multiple research and policy initiatives involving climate, air quality, and health systems.

Air Pollution and Climate Research

Responsibilities include:

Conducting data analysis on:
- Air pollution
- Black carbon emissions
- Climate-health risk factors in South Africa
Identifying:
- Emission hotspots
- Sectoral mitigation opportunities
- Public health protection strategies

Policy Brief Development

The intern will:

Lead drafting of analytical policy briefs
Support low-emission development strategies
Contribute to Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) implementation efforts

Investment Case Research

Additional responsibilities include:

Supporting research on ambient air pollution investment frameworks
Assisting with evidence generation for climate-health financing priorities

Global Conference and Partnership Support

The intern will contribute to preparations for:

UNFCCC COP31
CBD COP17
UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPPR)

This includes:

Stakeholder coordination
Research support
Drafting policy materials
Monitoring global developments

Knowledge Products and Communications

The role also involves:

Drafting and editing reports
Supporting communication materials
Conducting country-specific desk research
Preparing end-of-internship presentations for UNDP colleagues

Required Skills and Competencies

UNDP seeks candidates with strong analytical, research, and communication capabilities.

Preferred competencies include:

Excellent research and academic writing skills
Data analysis and presentation abilities
Professional communication and teamwork skills
Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
Integrity and ethical professionalism
Strong computer literacy and willingness to learn new digital tools

Editing and policy drafting experience are considered strong advantages.

Educational Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

Be currently enrolled in a graduate programme
Be in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree
Have graduated within the previous year

Relevant academic disciplines include:

Public Health
International Studies
Public Policy
Development Studies
Environmental Science
Climate Policy
Related social science or scientific fields

Applicants are required to clearly state:

University name
Academic status
Field of study
Expected or completed graduation date

Applications lacking academic details will not be considered.

Experience and Technical Requirements

Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate prior academic or professional exposure in relevant areas.

Preferred experience includes:

Health and development research
Data analysis and interpretation
Academic writing and policy drafting
Climate or environmental research
Office software and digital collaboration tools

Candidates with experience in infographic creation and analytical presentation tools may have an added advantage.

Internship Conditions and Administrative Requirements

Although interns are not classified as UNDP staff members, they operate under official UNDP administrative authority and professional standards.

Important conditions include:

Interns receive a monthly stipend
Health and life insurance are mandatory
Interns are responsible for passport and visa arrangements where applicable
Confidentiality obligations must be strictly observed
The internship does not guarantee future employment within UNDP

Shortlisted candidates will later provide:

Academic transcripts
University confirmation letters
Recommendation letters
Medical documentation

UNDP’s Commitment to Diversity and Ethical Standards

UNDP maintains strong institutional commitments to:

Diversity
Equity
Inclusion
Non-discrimination

The organisation encourages applications from:

Marginalised populations
Underrepresented communities
Diverse cultural and social backgrounds

UNDP also enforces a zero-tolerance policy regarding:

Sexual harassment
Exploitation and abuse
Discrimination
Abuse of authority

All selected applicants undergo comprehensive background checks.

Conclusion: A Valuable Opportunity in Climate and Global Health Policy

The UNDP Climate and Health Internship provides emerging professionals with exceptional exposure to international climate-health governance, environmental policy analysis, and sustainable development programming. Through active participation in climate research, pandemic preparedness initiatives, and global policy coordination, interns gain practical experience relevant to careers in international development, environmental governance, public health, and multilateral institutions.

For candidates passionate about climate action, health equity, and sustainable global development, this internship offers a strong platform for professional growth and meaningful contribution to international policy work.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.