Climate and Health Intern (Remote/Home-Based)

Job Description

Background Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Organization 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's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional Hubs and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan 2026-2029. 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), a long-standing partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and a co-sponsor of several other international health partnerships. In line with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026–2029, UNDP delivers support to countries in three areas of HIV and health: reducing the inequalities that drive disease, promoting effective and inclusive governance for health, and building resilient and sustainable systems for health. Project Background Climate change, air pollution, and environmental degradation are among the strongest determinants of health outcomes, shaping everything from respiratory illness and heat-related mortality to food insecurity, mental health, and displacement. There is a pressing need to align health programming with climate ambitions, strengthen early warning systems, address air pollution including super pollutants such as black carbon, and implement related commitments in the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and national adaptation plans. The emergence of diseases with pandemic potential has increased along with the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, pointing to the heightened risk of diseases spilling over from animals to humans. UNDP’s work on health, climate, and environment is implemented in collaboration with several UNDP teams as well as with external partners such as WHO, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Wellcome Trust, the Clean Air Fund, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the Global Climate and Health Alliance, and the Planetary Health Alliance, alongside wider engagement with governments, academia, and regional and international organizations. Objective of the assignment : 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 (i) 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, and (ii) 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 31 st UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP31) and 17 th 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

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