Internship with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is a vital intergovernmental platform established to promote cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in the Asia-Pacific region. As one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations, ESCAP plays a crucial role in addressing sustainable development challenges. The organization focuses on providing guidance and support to various divisions, subregional offices, and regional institutes, ensuring accountability in the implementation of its program of work. ESCAP also emphasizes the importance of gender equality, women's empowerment, and disability inclusion across its initiatives, making it a key player in fostering inclusive development in the region.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position at ESCAP is designed for individuals who are eager to gain hands-on experience in the field of sustainable development and intergovernmental cooperation. Interns will work under the direct supervision of the Sustainable Development Officer/Secretary of Commission, OES, and will be expected to contribute to various aspects of ESCAP's operations. The role involves assisting in knowledge management, coordination of meetings and events, and providing research support for high-level engagements. Interns will be expected to work full-time for a duration of 3-6 months, dedicating five days a week (37.5 hours) to the internship. This is an unpaid position, and candidates should be prepared to manage their own living expenses during the internship period.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Knowledge Management: Assisting in organizing substantive materials related to ESCAP's work, collecting and consolidating information for global and regional dialogues, and supporting the design and development of products for high-level engagements.
• Coordination: Providing logistical support for meetings and events, coordinating missions by the Deputy Executive Secretary (DES), and supporting inter-agency coordination activities.
• Research Support: Conducting background research for high-level engagements, evaluating meetings and projects, and compiling statistics.
• General Support: Assisting the team in day-to-day activities and other duties as required, ensuring smooth operations within the office.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this internship, 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); or (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 desirable. Proficiency in English writing, notetaking, summarizing information, and strong research skills are essential. Familiarity with standard software applications, particularly MS Office Suite, is also required, and experience with design tools is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a relevant educational background, either being currently enrolled in or having completed a graduate program or the final year of an undergraduate program. This educational foundation should ideally be in fields related to sustainable development, international relations, or other relevant disciplines that align with the objectives of the internship.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required for this internship, candidates are encouraged to have relevant academic or volunteer experience that demonstrates their interest and commitment to sustainable development and intergovernmental cooperation. Any experience in research, project management, or participation in intergovernmental meetings will be advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's application. The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, and proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication within the organization.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and candidates are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Thailand may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Candidates should clearly outline their desired start date and length of availability in their motivation statement, along with their interest in the United Nations internship program and familiarity with sustainable development challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further consideration. ESCAP reserves the right to select candidates and close the posting at any time, so applicants are encouraged to apply promptly.