The Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) acts as a vital interface between global policies in economic, social, and environmental spheres and national action.
Guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 associated targets.
The Economic Analysis and Policy Division (EAPD) provides research and policy analysis on global macroeconomic trends, frontier issues, emerging issues, and countries in special situations.
EAPD serves as the Secretariat to the Committee for Development Policy, advising the Economic and Social Council on cross-cutting development issues and reviewing the status of least developed countries (LDCs).
Manages capacity development projects in developing countries through research, training, and workshops.
The intern reports to the Economic Affairs Officer in the DESA Economic Analysis and Policy Division, Development Research Branch.
Conducts research for the World Social Report (WSR), Reports of the Secretary-General, and other outputs on economic and social development.
Provides assistance on branch projects, including communication, dissemination, and support for stakeholder meetings.
Works daily with the supervisor on research tasks, with a strong emphasis on the 2030 Agenda.
Tasks may include:
Supporting day-to-day activities such as research assistance, developing presentations, and servicing meetings.
Conducting quantitative data analysis, including identifying and collecting data from primary and secondary sources and visualizing data.
Providing assistance with capacity-building activities, including communication.
Qualifications/Special Skills
Must meet one of the following:
Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or higher).
Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent).
Field of study must be closely related to the internship.
Must provide proof of enrollment or completion upon request.
Must have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.
Experience with large databases and descriptive statistics is desirable.
Languages
Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
Knowledge of an additional UN official language is an advantage.
Official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Intern Specific Text
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations.
Costs for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
Non-citizen interns may need appropriate visa and work/employment authorization.
Candidates should clarify visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.
Deadline : Sep 14, 2025
About the Organization
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat is a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and national action. The Department works in three main interlinked areas: it compiles, generates and analyses a wide range of economic, social and environmental data and information on which Member States of the United Nations draw to review common problems and to take stock of policy options; it facilitates the negotiations of Member States in many intergovernmental bodies on joint courses of action to address ongoing or emerging global challenges; and it advises interested Governments on the ways and means of translating policy frameworks developed in United Nations conferences and summits into programmes at the country level and, through technical assistance, helps build national capacities.
Start your application
Applications for this position must be completed on the recruiting organization's website.
