Internship in Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation Section

Job Posting Organization:
The internship is offered by the Social Development Division (SDD) of the United Nations, which focuses on various aspects of social development including poverty reduction, inequality, and social protection. The SDD is committed to promoting sustainable socioeconomic transformation and gender equality, and it operates through three main sections: Sustainable Demographic Transition Section (SDTS), Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation Section (SETS), and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section (GESIS). The organization values communication and analytical thinking among its team members, encouraging creative problem-solving. The SDD also organizes significant events such as the Committee on Social Development, which brings together governments to discuss pressing social issues.

Job Overview:
The internship in the Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation Section is designed for individuals who are interested in gaining practical experience in social development. Interns will work full-time for a duration of 2-4 months, with the possibility of extension up to 6 months based on departmental needs. The role involves supporting various projects related to poverty reduction, social protection, and inequality, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations such as persons with disabilities, migrants, youth, older persons, and women. Interns will engage in desk research, data processing, and statistical analysis, contributing to reports and social media content, and assisting in organizing workshops and conferences. This position provides a unique opportunity to work within a UN framework and gain insights into the workings of international social development initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will undertake a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: conducting desk research and data processing, performing statistical analysis using software such as R and Excel, and focusing on topics related to poverty reduction and social protection. They will support the development of reports, summaries, and transcripts, and assist in creating materials for social media. Additionally, interns will help organize workshops and conferences, including the 9th Committee on Social Development, and perform other duties as assigned by their supervisor. Daily responsibilities will vary based on the intern's background and the specific office they are assigned to.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), or 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 for the UN Internship Programme, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams, and provide examples of how they meet these criteria. Additionally, the ability to draft news articles and social media posts is desirable, as is the capability to design surveys and polls.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes either a graduate degree or being in the final year of a bachelor's degree program. The field of study should be closely related to social development, economics, public policy, or a similar discipline that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship.

Experience:
No prior professional work experience is required for this internship. However, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that demonstrates their understanding of social development issues and methodologies.

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 advantage and may enhance the candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and interns are expected to work full-time, which is defined as five days a week for a total of 37.5 hours. Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Those who are not citizens or permanent residents of Thailand may need to secure the appropriate visa and work authorization prior to starting the internship. 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 during the recruitment process.