Internship in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)

Job Posting Organization:
The internship is offered by the United Nations, an international organization founded in 1945 with the mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among countries. The UN has a diverse workforce of over 37,000 employees and operates in more than 190 countries worldwide. Its various agencies and programs work towards addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change, making it a pivotal organization in international relations and development.

Job Overview:
This internship position is situated in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), specifically within the Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development (OISC). The internship is designed to be in-person and full-time, requiring 35 hours per week, although adjustments can be made based on the successful candidate's requests. The internship is unpaid and is located at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Interns may also have the option to work remotely, depending on the needs of the office and mutual agreement. Interns will work under the supervision of a staff member in their assigned work unit, and their daily responsibilities will vary based on their background, assigned office, and the internship period. The intern will support the work of OISC by contributing to the monitoring and analysis of UN inter-governmental bodies, assisting in the preparation of conferences and meetings, conducting research and analysis related to sustainable development, and managing information and correspondence.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Contributing to the monitoring and analysis of the work of UN inter-governmental bodies, including meetings of the General Assembly and its main committees, as well as ECOSOC, focusing on issues such as sustainable development and climate change.
• Supporting meetings of ECOSOC by taking notes and writing summaries on key issues and major developments in economic, social, and environmental fields.
• Assisting in the preparation of conferences and meetings related to the 2026 High-level Political Forum on sustainable development (HLPF) and the Voluntary National Review preparatory process.
• Preparing substantive documentation, providing input for speeches, background notes, briefs, and presentations.
• Conducting research and analysis in multiple policy areas related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development to support the preparation of reports and presentations.
• Assisting with information management and correspondence.
• Undertaking other tasks as required by the office.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); (c) subject to review on a case-by-case basis, applicants within a few years from graduation who could not apply earlier and who are in an early stage of their careers, changing careers, or due to compelling family circumstances. Additionally, applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications, and knowledge of sustainable development issues would be an advantage. No prior work experience is required, but training, education, or skills should benefit the United Nations during the internship.

Educational Background:
Candidates must 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). Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience; however, a field of study closely related to the internship type is required. Proof of enrollment or completion of the relevant educational program must be provided with the application.

Experience:
No prior work experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. However, candidates should have relevant training, education, or skills that would benefit the UN during their internship. This position is particularly suitable for students in the final year of their first university degree, Master's, or Ph.D. programs, or those who have recently completed such programs.

Languages:
The job posting does not specify mandatory or preferred languages for this position. However, proficiency in English is typically expected in UN internships, given the organization's international nature and the need for effective communication in a diverse environment.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. All costs and arrangements for 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 be required 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 a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training.