Economic Affairs Intern

Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities

The position is in the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Internship Programme is unpaid and full-time, i.e., an intern is expected to work five days per week (40 hours). The internship is offered either on an in-person or remote basis.

The position is located in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Section of the Policy Analysis and Research Branch of the Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes (ALDC).

The internship will tentatively start on 15 January 2026 for an initial period of three months, with an opportunity for extension up to six months, depending on the needs of the department. The intern will report to the Economic Affairs Officer.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Training and mentoring will be provided throughout the internship. Carrying out his/her tasks under the supervision of the Economic Affairs Officer, the intern will perform the following functions related to research support on the 2026 Least Developed Countries Report and other research and technical assistance tasks:

• Compile databases and use statistical tools.
• Undertake internet research and compile literature reviews.
• Attend and summarize related online conferences and meetings.
• Develop inputs for PowerPoint presentations and infographics.

For in-person internships, interns must have a valid visa. All costs of travel, accommodation, medical insurance and living expenses must be covered by the intern.

To work remotely, the applicant shall have full access to a computer with a modern browser capable of running the latest version of Office 365 applications that will allow him/her to perform the tasks within the scope of the internship. The computer must have basic IT security best practices implemented. At a minimum, the applicant should have:

• Installed on his/her computer the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system, software and security updates as soon as they are issued.
• Enabled the built-in software firewall that comes with the operating software of the computer.
• Be able to use a password manager enabling the creation of strong passwords and to secure access to all UNCTAD/UN-related resources.

More generally, interns shall:

• Observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions, procedures and directives of the Organization notwithstanding their status as described in section 4 of the UN Internship Programme Administrative Instructions ST/AI/2000/9 & ST/AI/2005/11.
• Provide the receiving departments/offices with a copy of all materials prepared by them during the internship. The UN shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to or is made in consequence of the services provided under the internship. At the request of the UN, the interns shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to the UN in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law.
• Respect the impartiality and independence required of the UN and of the receiving department/office and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to the UN.
• Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the receiving department/office, they may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any other external source any information which has become known to them by reason of their association with the UN or the receiving department/office, that they know or ought to have known has not been made public. They may not use any such information without the written authorization of the appropriate official, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations also apply after the end of the internship with the UN.
• Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the UN or on the receiving department/office and will not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the UN.

Qualifications/Special Skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
(a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
(b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).

Moreover, interns should:

• Be computer literate in standard software applications.
• Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

For this position, the university degree must be in the area of economics, preferably combined with statistics, data science, or a related area.

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advanced coursework or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. programme.

Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this internship.

Deadline : Nov 25, 2025