Economic Affairs - Intern

Job Description

Intern – Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development (OISC), New York

Work Location

• New York (In Person)

Expected Duration

• Initial 4 months (with possibility of extension up to 6 months)
• Expected start date: 2 March 2026

Organizational Setting and Reporting

• Located in DESA, OISC, within the Inter-organizational and Inter-institutional Support Branch (IISB).
• OISC provides substantive support to the work of the United Nations General Assembly, ECOSOC, and the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development.
• Full-time opportunity, 35 hours per week, under the supervision of an assigned IISB staff member.
• Internship is unpaid and has a maximum duration of six months.
• More information: DESA ECOSOC

Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow intergovernmental meetings of ECOSOC, the General Assembly, and other relevant meetings/briefings; prepare summaries of discussions and outcomes.
• Track and report on Member States’ negotiations on draft resolutions.
• Assist in substantive and organizational preparations for the 2026 ECOSOC Youth Forum, the High-level Political Forum, the ECOSOC High-level Segment, and special ECOSOC meetings.
• Support organization of panel discussions, roundtables, special meetings, and briefings for ECOSOC membership.
• Follow the work of ECOSOC functional commissions and expert bodies; assist staff in facilitating engagement with Council activities.
• Undertake research and analysis on trends and key issues for ECOSOC consideration.
• Support work on interlinkages between peace and development, and the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti.
• Provide inputs to statements, speeches, briefing materials, talking points, and background notes for the ECOSOC President and senior management.
• Assist in communications and outreach strategies, including maintenance of ECOSOC and HLPF websites, social media, video production, media alerts/press releases, and news articles.
• Support work related to countries in special situations, including Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, Small Island Developing States, and middle-income countries.
• Undertake other tasks as required.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• Enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or higher), or
• Enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent).

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of an additional UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is an asset.

Additional Information

• Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations.
• Costs for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or sponsoring institutions.
• Non-citizens or non-permanent residents may need the appropriate visa or work/employment authorization.
• Candidates should clarify visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

Deadline : Nov 3, 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.