United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global authority on the environment, setting the world’s environmental agenda, promoting coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development and serving as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. We are looking for a motivated, analytical individual to join our Nairobi headquarters as a Finance and Administration Intern. This placement provides unparalleled exposure to global environmental finance operations, networking opportunities with expert practitioners, and the satisfaction of contributing to solutions that safeguard the planet for future generations.
Position: Finance and Administration Intern
Job ID: 260602
Job Family: Finance
Category/Level: Internship, I‑1
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme (Enterprise Operations Division)
Date Posted: 11 July 2025
Application Deadline: 25 July 2025
Job Description
Working in the Enterprise Operations Division, the intern reports to a Finance Officer and collaborates with administrative colleagues across UNEP. The internship offers a chance to understand United Nations financial rules and administrative procedures while supporting programmes that advance climate action, nature protection and pollution control.
Key duties and responsibilities
- Budget Support – Help prepare, format and review programme budgets, cost plans and financial forecasts; track expenditures against allotments and alert managers to variances.
- Accounts and Reporting – Compile source documents, verify completeness, enter data into Umoja (SAP) ledgers and generate periodic expenditure reports for internal and donor audiences.
- Invoice Processing – Check vendor invoices and travel claims for compliance with UN regulations; draft payment requests and follow up with Treasury until settlement.
- Data Reconciliation – Reconcile bank, vendor and travel advance accounts; investigate discrepancies and recommend corrective journal entries.
- Procurement and Assets – Support low‑value procurement actions, update the asset register, arrange physical verification of equipment and prepare disposal documentation when needed.
- Administrative Coordination – Schedule meetings, draft minutes, maintain electronic filing systems, and liaise with HR, IT and facilities teams to resolve service requests.
- Process Improvement – Map workflows, identify bottlenecks and propose simple automation or policy tweaks that save time and enhance compliance.
- Research and Analysis – Collect and analyse financial data, prepare charts or infographics, and provide inputs for management briefs, donor reports and funding proposals.
- Other Duties – Perform additional tasks assigned by the supervisor to ensure smooth functioning of the unit.
Throughout the assignment you will gain exposure to UN ERP systems, IPSAS‑based accounting, results‑based budgeting and inter‑agency collaboration—skills transferable to careers in finance, accounting, project management and international development. The internship is full‑time for up to six months; start date is flexible during the third quarter of 2025.
