Experienced Summer Intern - Climate Change (MBA, MSc or equivalent)

About BII

British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution, owned by the UK Government. With a mission to solve the biggest global development challenges, we aim to create a virtuous circle of investment and impact. Your contribution will be essential. 

It won’t be easy: we do the hardest work in the most complex markets. Be prepared to test your skills, get creative and say your piece as you take on high-profile work as part of a diverse team of exceptionally smart, passionate people. 

In return, you can take your career to all-new places in a culture that rewards curiosity and collaboration, and balances high performance with wellbeing.

BII at a glance

75 years supporting sustainable business growth in developing and emerging markets

£8.1 billion in net assets

1,400+ businesses invested in

950,000 workers in the businesses we support

£9 billion in new investments planned in the next 5 years

600+ people in our diverse global team

3 key development objectives: Productive | Sustainable | Inclusive

Team and role overview

Climate change is a cross cutting theme unique in terms of scale, urgency, magnitude and complexity of action and BII’s climate change strategy details the approach we are taking to mainstream climate action through both how we invest and how we operate. The upcoming year will be critical to further accelerate climate action in which BII will have a key role to play.

BII’s climate change strategy has been built on a recognition that we as an investor need to operate within the remaining global carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and proactively support economic transformation in the least developed countries to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 in a socially just manner while delivering on the need for economic growth and improved living standards. The strategy sets out how we aim to increase climate impact across our product lines (equity, debt, funds) and across our priority sectors. In addition, the strategy outlines how we are planning to take a whole of organisation approach on climate change through implementing the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) pillars of strategy, governance, risk management and metrics.

The Climate Change Team acts as the in-house experts on climate change and works across the organisation to implement the strategy and to support transactions with a climate angle move through the process. The work is nuanced, challenging and varied.  As a team we work hard, we move quickly, and we expect a lot of ourselves and each other.  More importantly, we love the work we do and we have fun doing it.  We’re looking for someone who’ll feel and do the same.

Purpose

The climate change intern will have the opportunity to support the team and deliver specific projects across the breadth of what we do, including Paris alignment with workstreams focused on Net Zero by 2050, Just Transition and Adaptation and Resilience & TCFD implementation.

Responsibilities

• Research and support the development of sector specific tools and policies to support implementation of BII’s Paris alignment approach across Net Zero and/or Just Transition and/or Adaptation Resilience
• Support preparation and external engagement before COP30
• Support on data analysis and impact reporting for climate finance investments
• Support workstreams on TCFD implementation

The candidate (please note this programme is not for undergraduates)

Background, skills, aptitude

• Studying towards an MBA, MSc or equivalent & have a strong background in consulting, finance and climate change and international development
• Demonstrated interest and knowledge of climate-related investment
• On the ground experience in Africa/Asia is preferred
• Practical and results-oriented individual with a track record of delivering successful projects or products
• Ability to deliver high quality work within tight timelines
• Excellent Excel & PowerPoint skills
• Excellent analytical and communication skills
• Interest in development finance
• Candidates should be strongly motivated by BII’s development mission and ideally demonstrate some commitment to development or social goals through previous executive or non-executive activity

Our cultural values

We look for team members who aspire, as we do, to work at our best and to be:

• Impact-led, commercially rigorous
• Tenacious in the face of challenges
• Collaborative and caring

British International Investment is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background. 

Application Process 

• Please provide a cover letter with your application, and tell us why you would like to join the Summer Internship at BII, and why you have chosen to apply for this business area / team
• Please apply for one internship only
• Position opened: 28 October 2024
• Position closes: 01 December 2024
• Salary: £64,390 (pro-rated over 8 or 10 weeks)

Please note BII will pay for flights to London for those studying internationally