Internship in Macroeconomic and Development Policies (MDPB)

Job Posting Organization:
The internship is offered by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which was established in 196

• UNCTAD's mission is to promote the integration of developing countries into the world economy. The organization operates in over 190 countries and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to addressing global economic challenges and fostering sustainable development. UNCTAD focuses on trade, investment, and development issues, providing research, policy analysis, and technical assistance to its member states.

Job Overview:
The internship position is situated within the Macroeconomic and Development Policies Branch (MDPB) of UNCTAD, specifically in the Division on Globalization and Development Strategies. The primary objective of the MDPB is to produce the annual Trade and Development Report (TDR), which critically analyzes global economic trends, identifies emerging shifts, and addresses significant policy issues of international concern. The report also offers policy proposals aimed at tackling these issues at various levels, including national, regional, and multilateral. The internship is designed to provide practical experience in economic research and data management, with a duration of three months starting in February or March, with the possibility of extending for an additional three months based on departmental needs. Interns can choose to work either in-person in Geneva or remotely, although in-person interns must possess a valid visa. All associated costs, including travel, accommodation, medical insurance, and living expenses, are the responsibility of the intern. The intern will report directly to the Head of the Branch or a Senior Economic Affairs Officer and will be involved in various tasks that support the MDPB's work.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities that include maintaining, updating, and organizing datasets within the database management system (MySQL). They will assist in migrating legacy Excel-based datasets into a structured, scalable, and normalized database. Additionally, interns will implement version control practices using Git for scripts, pipelines, and documentation. They will help design and build interactive dashboards in Power BI for data visualizations, compile data and statistics for charts and visual outputs, and incorporate these into Power BI dashboards. Editorial assistance with texts, charts, and overall layout will also be part of their duties, along with preparing substantive inputs and working on PowerPoint presentations. Furthermore, interns will assist in creating communication materials and must ensure they have the necessary IT security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security measures in place for remote work.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for the United Nations internship programme, applicants must meet specific criteria at the time of application. They should either be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent). Interns should be computer literate in standard software applications and demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, along with a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. Additionally, they should possess the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions and views. Importantly, no prior working experience is required to apply for this internship, as the focus is on enhancing educational experience and gaining practical skills.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes either being enrolled in or having completed a graduate school programme or being in the final year of a bachelor's degree programme. This educational foundation is essential to ensure that interns can effectively contribute to the work of the UNCTAD and gain valuable insights into macroeconomic and development policies. The internship is particularly suited for students or recent graduates who are looking to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting and enhance their understanding of international economic issues.

Experience:
While no prior working experience is necessary to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants are encouraged to leverage their training, education, advanced coursework, or skills that could benefit the UN during their internship. This means that even if candidates do not have formal work experience, they should be able to demonstrate relevant skills or knowledge that align with the responsibilities of the internship position.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this internship, fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is considered an advantage. The official languages of the United Nations Secretariat include Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish, and proficiency in any of these languages can enhance an intern's ability to contribute to the organization's work.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially compensated 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. Those who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Candidates will be assessed based on their Personal History Profiles (PHP), and individual interviews may be conducted for further evaluation. A complete online application, including a Cover Note and Personal History Profile, is mandatory, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must detail the title of the degree, graduation date, IT skills, and an explanation of why the applicant is the best candidate for the internship. Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. It is important to note that there is no expectation of employment within the UN following the internship, and interns are not eligible to apply for or be appointed to positions at the professional level and above for six months after the internship ends. Additionally, applicants who are related to UN staff members must adhere to specific guidelines regarding eligibility.