UNESCAP Intern - Intergovernmental Affairs

Job Posting Organization:
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is a regional commission of the United Nations established to promote economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region. It serves as the main legislative organ of ESCAP and reports to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). ESCAP was founded to foster cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members, addressing sustainable development challenges. The organization meets annually at the ministerial level to discuss critical issues related to inclusive and sustainable development, review recommendations from subsidiary bodies, and endorse strategic frameworks and work programs. ESCAP operates in multiple countries across the Asia-Pacific region, providing technical assistance and capacity-building services to support national development objectives and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The secretariat plays a vital role in generating action-oriented knowledge and supporting partners at the national level, ensuring that its initiatives are aligned with global and regional frameworks.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretary, specifically within the team of the Secretary of the Commission. Interns will work under the supervision of both the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary of the Commission. This is an unpaid, full-time internship lasting for six months, starting in December 202

• Interns will be expected to work five days a week, totaling 37.5 hours per week, in Bangkok. The internship offers a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience in various activities of ESCAP, including website management, strategic communications, public information, digital outreach, and knowledge management. Interns will develop a deeper understanding of ESCAP's operations and its extensive activities within the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to the organization's mission of promoting sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will assist the team of the Secretary of the Commission in several key areas, primarily focused on preparing and delivering the annual sessions of the Commission. This includes organizing meetings of the Advisory Committee of Permanent Other Representatives designated by members of the Commission and supporting negotiations among member States. The responsibilities are divided into three main areas: 1) Intergovernmental Services (40%): Interns will assist with logistics for meetings, including registration and presentations, prepare procedural scripts, contribute to the development of talking points and briefing materials, and take notes during discussions. 2) Knowledge Management (40%): Interns will help create and update website content, develop communication materials, and engage in strategic communications and public information tasks. 3) Operations and Administration (20%): Interns will support the day-to-day management of the Secretary's team, assist with issue management processes, prepare meetings with internal stakeholders, and perform other ad-hoc duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this internship, applicants must meet one of the following criteria: (a) be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or (b) be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). While professional work experience is not required, applicants should have a field of study closely related to the internship. Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s, or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs. Knowledge of Adobe Creative Studio, Drupal, HTML, and CSS is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed or be enrolled in a relevant academic program. This includes being in the final year of a bachelor's degree or having completed a master's or Ph.D. program. The field of study should be closely related to the internship role, ensuring that candidates possess the necessary theoretical background to contribute effectively to the tasks assigned during the internship.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required for this internship, candidates should ideally have some academic or practical exposure related to intergovernmental affairs, communications, or public information. This could include relevant coursework, projects, or volunteer experiences that demonstrate an understanding of the functions and responsibilities associated with the internship.

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. The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, and proficiency in these languages will enhance the intern's ability to perform effectively in the role.

Additional Notes:
The internship is unpaid, and candidates are responsible for their travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Thailand may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.