Economic Affairs Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations, established in 194

• Its mission is to contribute to the economic and social development of the region by designing, monitoring, and evaluating public policies, providing advisory services, expertise, and training to governments, and supporting regional and international cooperation and coordination activities. ECLAC operates in various countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on sustainable development and economic growth.

Job Overview:
The internship at the ECLAC Washington Office is designed to last between two to six months, depending on the needs of the office. Interns will work under the supervision of the Office’s Director and other staff members, supporting the office’s research agenda and contributing to ongoing analytical and operational activities. The role is ideal for students or recent graduates who are looking to gain practical experience in economic affairs and contribute to significant research that impacts Latin America and the Caribbean. Interns will engage in various tasks that enhance their understanding of international economic policies and their implications for the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be responsible for conducting research on various topics, including access to international financing for sustainable development, trade and geopolitical developments affecting Latin America and the Caribbean, and financial and macroeconomic trends. They will perform literature reviews to assess the current state of research and its implications for the region. Interns will summarize, synthesize, and analyze relevant academic papers, policy reports, and publications. They will collect and compile information from official country sources, specialized agencies, and other relevant databases. Additionally, interns will review, organize, and analyze collected data and information, prepare reports, update office databases, and develop supporting tables, graphs, charts, and references. Participation in team meetings and discussions is expected, along with attendance at relevant conferences, webinars, and seminars, where they will prepare briefing notes or summaries as needed. Interns will also provide support for the day-to-day activities of the office as required.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (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. Applicants must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master's or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. Programme. Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams, is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being enrolled in or having completed a graduate school programme or being in the final academic year of a first university degree programme. This means that candidates should ideally have a background in economics, social sciences, international relations, or a related field that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required for this internship, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that relates to economic affairs, public policy, or international development. This internship is particularly suited for students or recent graduates who are looking to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is considered an advantage. The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, while the official languages include Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

Additional Notes:
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. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.