Intern - Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division

Job Posting Organization:
The Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division (MPFD) is part of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The division is dedicated to providing a combination of normative-analytical and capacity-development activities to its 53 member states and 9 associate members. MPFD focuses on addressing the significant variations in geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic conditions across the region. The division undertakes analytical studies and policy-oriented research, provides capacity building, and facilitates policy dialogues on macroeconomic and financing for development issues. The organization aims to support sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region through its various initiatives and research activities.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position within the MPFD is designed to provide interns with hands-on experience in macroeconomic policy and financing for development. Interns will work under the general guidance of the Section Chief and the direct supervision of a responsible officer. They will contribute to the division's research activities, support capacity development initiatives, and assist in organizing workshops and other meetings. The internship is unpaid, with a minimum duration of three months and a maximum of six months. Interns are expected to work five days a week, totaling 35 hours. The position offers opportunities to engage in two main areas: macroeconomic policy and analysis, and financing for development. Interns will be involved in research, analysis, and the preparation of materials for publications, as well as supporting technical consultations and workshops aimed at implementing sustainable finance strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will have a diverse set of responsibilities that may vary over time according to the needs of the division. In the area of macroeconomic policy and analysis, interns will undertake research and analysis on topics such as monetary policy, fiscal policy, tax cooperation, and econometric analysis for policy evaluation. They will identify key risks to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region and prepare summary tables, graphs, and other inputs for ESCAP publications. In the financing for development area, interns will support technical consultations and workshops, assist in designing capacity-building materials, and undertake research on sustainable financing instruments. They will also support the implementation of demonstration projects and track trends in sustainable development challenges and success factors. Overall, interns will perform various related duties as assigned, contributing to the division's mission and objectives.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for the internship, candidates must meet specific requirements. They should either be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent) or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level). Candidates should have studied relevant areas such as macroeconomics, international economics, development economics, political economy, applied econometrics, finance, or environmental studies. While computer literacy in standard software applications and statistical packages is desirable, it is not mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and possess the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a relevant educational background to qualify for the internship. This includes being enrolled in or having completed a graduate program or the final year of a bachelor's degree. Fields of study should include macroeconomics, international economics, development economics, political economy, applied econometrics, finance, environmental studies, business administration, or related areas. The educational background should equip candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute effectively to the division's work.

Experience:
No prior working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. However, candidates should possess training, education, or advanced coursework that would benefit the United Nations during their internship. The ability to work well under tight deadlines, multitask, and interact with individuals from various social and cultural backgrounds is desirable. Candidates should also demonstrate good drafting and oral communication skills, as well as familiarity with data analysis and statistical methods.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as Chinese or Russian, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. 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 authorization. The cover note submitted with the application must include specific details such as the title of the degree program, graduation date, IT skills, areas of interest, and reasons for suitability for the internship. It is important to indicate the area of interest (macroeconomic policy and analysis or financing for development) and the available period for the internship. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further consideration. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.