Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The internship is offered by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), which plays a crucial role in supporting the development pillar of the United Nations Secretariat. Established to promote international cooperation in sustainable development, DESA works to ensure that economic, social, and environmental policies are integrated and aligned with the goals of the United Nations. The organization employs a diverse workforce and operates in multiple countries, focusing on global issues such as poverty eradication, sustainable development, and social inclusion.

Job Overview:
The Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Intern will be situated within the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG) at DESA, specifically in the Programme, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (PMEU). This internship is designed to provide the intern with hands-on experience in monitoring and evaluation processes, contributing to the overall coordination and management of DESA's programs and resources. The intern will engage in various tasks that support the drafting and review of program plans, preparation of meeting summaries, and consolidation of inputs for senior management reporting. The role is pivotal in enhancing the monitoring and evaluation capacity of DESA's work, ensuring that the department's initiatives are effectively implemented and evaluated. The intern will report directly to the head of PMEU and will be expected to work collaboratively with various subprogrammes and offices within DESA.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's duties will include supporting the drafting and review of DESA’s proposed programme plan for 2028, preparing background papers and senior-level talking points, and summarizing meetings. The intern will also be responsible for consolidating inputs for senior managers' compacts and reporting processes related to gender equality, disability inclusion, and multilingualism. Additional responsibilities include drafting and reviewing monitoring and evaluation reports, assisting in data collection and analysis related to evaluations and audits, and supporting the follow-up on the implementation of findings from evaluations. The intern will conduct research and present information on economic, social, and sustainable development topics, and perform other duties as required by the unit.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Candidates should be computer literate with a good knowledge of standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams, and MS Copilot. Excellent drafting skills in English, along with the ability to analyze, synthesize, and extract essential information, are mandatory. The successful applicant must be detail-oriented, diligent, and capable of delivering high-quality documents. While professional work experience is not required, a relevant field of study such as business administration, programme management, economics, political science, international relations, public administration, or evaluation is necessary. Familiarity with data collection and visualization tools is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. Programme, or have completed such programmes. This educational background is essential to ensure that the intern possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and skills relevant to the tasks they will undertake during the internship.

Experience:
While the UN Internship Programme does not require professional work experience, candidates should ideally have some exposure to relevant fields through academic projects, internships, or volunteer work. This experience can enhance their understanding of the responsibilities they will be expected to fulfill during the internship.

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

Additional Notes:
This internship is designed to be in-person and full-time, requiring a commitment of 35 hours per week. The expected duration of the internship is between 3 to 6 months. It is important to note that 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 United States may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization prior to starting the internship. Furthermore, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.