Intern - Population Division

Job Posting Organization:
The Population Division was established in 1946 with the mission to enhance the capacity of the international community to tackle current and emerging population issues. It aims to integrate population dimensions into the development agenda at both national and international levels. The Division is responsible for analytical, normative, and capacity-building activities in the field of population, providing substantive support to the Commission on Population and Development and other intergovernmental bodies. The Division organizes technical meetings and prepares documentation on a wide range of population subjects relevant to Member States. It is structured into thematic sections and units that focus on various demographic aspects, overseen by a Front Office led by the Director and two Branch Chiefs. The Division operates specialized units including Programme Management, Publications, Outreach and Support, and Population Data, as well as branches dedicated to Population Policies and Development and Population Trends and Analysis. Each unit and section contributes specialized expertise, playing a vital role in the Division's overall function, which is crucial for addressing global population challenges.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position within the Population Division is designed to provide practical experience and support in various demographic research and analysis tasks. Interns will work under the guidance of team managers within specific sections, assisting in updating and assessing demographic data from diverse sources such as registrations, censuses, and surveys. Interns will gain familiarity with analytical steps necessary for updating country estimates and projections, including the use of empirical datasets and demographic methods tailored to specific contexts. The role involves data compilation, analysis, and desk research on critical topics such as population distributions, international migration, and the evaluation of vital event registrations. Interns will also contribute to modeling annual time trends and assist in the development of demographic projection scenarios based on climate change impacts. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage with substantive research topics and collaborate with experts, ultimately contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and monitoring progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be expected to assist in a variety of tasks, including:

• Updating and assessing demographic data from various sources (registration, census, survey);
• Familiarizing themselves with analytical steps for updating country estimates and projections, including empirical datasets and demographic methods;
• Assisting with data compilation and analysis, including direct and indirect methods, and conducting desk research on population distributions, international migration, and the evaluation of vital registrations;
• Modeling annual time trends for various demographic indicators;
• Contributing to publications on demographic aspects, drafting fact sheets, and preparing talking points;
• Participating in the servicing of intergovernmental and expert meetings;
• Contributing to activities related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
• Collaborating with experts and participating in relevant meetings. Interns may also assist with day-to-day work within the Division and are expected to prepare a report and presentation upon completion of the internship.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: (a) be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). While professional work experience is not required, a field of study closely related to the internship is essential. Preferred fields include demography, population studies, human geography, public health, international relations, political science, development studies, quantitative history, digital humanities, applied statistics, or related areas. Applicants should also be computer literate in standard software applications, particularly MS Excel, and proficiency with R statistical software programming is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates should be pursuing or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. program in a relevant field. This includes students in their final year of undergraduate studies or those who have completed advanced degrees. Proof of enrollment or completion will be required during the application process.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is necessary, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the internship's focus on demographic research and analysis. Familiarity with population and vital statistics data, as well as demographic estimation methods, is advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this internship, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of an additional official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is located may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.