Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The internship is offered by the Energy Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). ESCAP was established in 1947 and is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. Its mission is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization operates in 62 member states and associate members, focusing on various areas including energy, environment, and sustainable development. ESCAP aims to enhance regional cooperation and integration to address pressing challenges faced by member states, particularly in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The internship with the Energy Division is designed to support member states in enhancing energy security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, facilitating energy transition, and addressing climate change through regional cooperation. The intern will engage in various research and analytical tasks that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The intern will work under the supervision of professional staff and will be involved in information collection, research, and analysis across several key areas related to energy challenges and solutions. This role is crucial for developing project proposals, facilitating implementation of regional initiatives, and conducting economic analyses related to energy access and its socio-economic benefits. The internship is unpaid and requires a full-time commitment of 37.5 hours per week over a period of three to six months, depending on the needs of the Energy Division.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Conducting research on key energy challenges and solutions related to achieving SDG 7, focusing on universal access to energy, renewable energy share, and energy efficiency improvements.
• Analyzing good practices in energy financing, pricing, and policies to promote energy affordability and connectivity.
• Assisting in the development of project proposals and implementation of the Regional Road Map on Power System Connectivity.
• Collecting and processing data related to energy demand and supply, and researching national energy policies and commitments.
• Conducting economic analyses of energy access and its socio-economic impacts.
• Researching the role of natural gas in energy transitions and its implications for sustainable development.
• Analyzing the demand for minerals and materials in the context of energy transitions.
• Researching sustainable cooling strategies and their impact on energy demand.
• Maintaining and updating the Asia-Pacific Energy Portal, ensuring the accuracy of energy statistics and policy documents. 1
• Supporting knowledge management efforts by reviewing news clippings, preparing briefing materials, and assisting in social media outreach.

Required Qualifications:
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); (b) be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). While professional work experience is not required, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. Skills in drafting news articles, social media posts, and designing surveys are desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates should be students in their final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in or have completed a Master’s or Ph.D. program. Proof of enrollment or completion must be attached to the application, and an official certificate will be required at a later stage.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required for this internship, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship. This may include research projects, academic papers, or relevant volunteer work that demonstrates a commitment to energy issues and sustainable development.

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

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 Thailand may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.