Environmental Affairs Intern (US-Based)
Organization: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Location: Washington, D.C., USA (Hybrid) Duration: 4-6 months (starting August 18, 2025) Are you searching for an impactful Environmental Affairs Intern USA opportunity? The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is actively looking for a dedicated Environmental Affairs Intern for its North America Office in Washington, D.C. Importantly, this is a full-time, unpaid internship that directly targets the US environmental sector.
About UNEP: First and foremost, UNEP leads global environmental efforts, consistently setting the agenda and robustly advocating for a sustainable future. Consequently, our North America office plays a key role, helping implement regional programs and effectively addressing various environmental challenges and opportunities across the United States.
Your Role as an Environmental Affairs Intern in the USA
In this position, you’ll specifically support the North America Office in engaging US governments and stakeholders. Thus, you’ll directly help tackle the “triple planetary crises”: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution (especially plastic pollution). This Environmental Affairs Intern USA role offers unique exposure to critical policy work.
Your key responsibilities will include:
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Research & Analysis: To begin, you’ll research and draft background/briefing notes; furthermore, you’ll review reports.
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Program Support: Next, you’ll help implement UNEP’s work, including preparations for crucial environmental negotiations on plastics, climate, and biodiversity.
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Information Management: Additionally, you’ll attend meetings, conduct research, and carefully summarize information.
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Writing: Moreover, you’ll draft reports, memos, briefs, and correspondence.
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Event Support: Beyond that, you’ll assist with organizing workshops, meetings, and outreach events.
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Outreach: Furthermore, you’ll support engagement with partners, governments, NGOs, and academia.
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Team Contribution: Importantly, you’ll participate in discussions and actively offer insights.
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General Support: Finally, you’ll provide additional help as needed for this Environmental Affairs Internship.

Environmental Affairs Intern
Qualifications and Important Information for US Applicants
Qualifications:
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Education: You must be currently enrolled in or have completed a graduate program; alternatively, you could be in the final year of a bachelor’s program. This environmental policy intern role welcomes diverse academic backgrounds.
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Skills: Moreover, you need to be computer literate. Crucially, your education/skills should directly benefit the UN’s work in the USA.
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Language: Unquestionably, fluency in spoken and written English is required. Furthermore, knowledge of another official UN language is a definite plus for any Environmental Affairs Intern USA.
Important Notes for US Applicants:
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Unpaid: It’s vital to remember that this internship is unpaid. Consequently, interns cover all their own travel, visas, accommodation, and living costs within the USA.
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Visa/Work Authorization: Also, non-US citizens/residents may need specific visas/work authorization. Therefore, it’s essential to discuss these requirements before accepting the offer.
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No Fees: Finally, please note that the UN never charges fees at any recruitment stage whatsoever. This applies universally to all Environmental Affairs Intern USA applications.
Apply now:Â https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1752182547926
FAQs
Q1: What’s the main focus of this Environmental Affairs Intern USA opportunity? A1: Primarily, the internship supports UNEP’s efforts in North America to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution through engagement with governments and stakeholders in the US.
Q2: Is this a paid internship? A2: No, it’s unpaid. Consequently, interns are fully responsible for all their expenses (travel, housing, living costs) while serving as an Environmental Affairs Intern USA.
Q3: How long is the internship and what’s the schedule? A3: Generally, it’s 4-6 months, full-time (5 days/week). Notably, the desired start date is August 18, 2025.
Q4: What qualifications do I need for this Environmental Affairs Intern USA role? A4: Specifically, you must be a graduate student (or finished) or in your final year of a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, computer skills and fluent English are absolutely essential for this environmental policy internship.
Q5: What kind of tasks will I do? A5: Broadly speaking, you’ll research, draft reports, support negotiations, attend meetings, assist with events, and engage partners as an Environmental Affairs Intern USA.
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