Economics Research Assistant Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional arm of the United Nations established in 197

• Its mission is to promote economic and social development in the Arab region by providing a platform for dialogue, fostering regional cooperation, and offering technical assistance to member states. ESCWA operates in 17 member countries and employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by the region. The organization focuses on various areas, including economic policy, social development, and environmental sustainability, aiming to enhance the quality of life for people in the Arab world.

Job Overview:
The Economics Research Assistant Intern will play a crucial role in supporting ESCWA's initiatives aimed at enhancing economic policy design and implementation in the Arab region. This internship is designed for individuals who are passionate about economic research and policy-making, particularly in the context of competition policy, consumer protection, and national development planning. The intern will engage in a variety of tasks, including conducting background research, performing data analysis, and assisting in the preparation of technical materials. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to country-level assessments and sectoral studies, thereby advancing evidence-based policymaking in areas critical to economic resilience and institutional reform. The intern will work closely with experienced professionals and gain valuable insights into the workings of a major international organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a range of duties, including:

• Contributing to economic assessments and regional analyses related to competition policy, consumer protection, and development planning.
• Assisting in the preparation of technical materials, presentations, briefing notes, and working papers for both internal use and external meetings.
• Gathering and processing quantitative and qualitative data using Excel or other software tools to support analytical outputs.
• Supporting the planning and coordination of upcoming meetings, webinars, etc., by preparing background material and assisting with documentation.
• Maintaining organized records of research materials, reports, and datasets for easy access and retrieval.
• Conducting background research and compiling relevant economic and sectoral data for performing market studies as required.
• Supporting the work on monitoring and evaluating the Oman market study for the building material sector.
• Performing other assigned tasks and duties as requested by the supervisor in support of ESCWA’s work under Cluster 6.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this internship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent); or have graduated with a university degree as defined above.
• Be computer literate in standard software applications.
• Demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.
• Exhibit the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. No previous work experience is required for this position.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be currently enrolled in a graduate program or in the final year of their undergraduate studies. This educational background is essential to ensure that the intern possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills required for the tasks involved in this internship.

Experience:
This internship does not require any previous work experience, making it an excellent opportunity for students or recent graduates looking to gain practical experience in economic research and policy analysis within an international organization.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position, as these are the working languages of ESCWA. Knowledge of French is considered desirable, providing an additional advantage in communication within the organization. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding, while knowledge is defined as 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
This internship is expected to last for a duration of two months, with flexible working arrangements contingent upon written agreement by the receiving entity. Interns must commit to at least two months of full-time work and complete their internship within six months. It is important to note that interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and all costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Additionally, interns must provide proof of valid medical insurance coverage for the duration of the internship and submit a medical certificate of good health prior to starting. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.