ESCAP promotes inclusive economic, social, and environmental development and supports regional cooperation and integration in the Asia-Pacific region.
ESCAP serves as the regional development arm of the UN Secretariat, supporting member states through analytical, normative, and technical cooperation.
The internship is located in the Trade Policy and Facilitation Section (TPFS) of the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division.
Interns work full-time, five days per week (35 hours), under supervision.
Responsibilities may include:
Conducting background research, literature reviews, and drafting contributions for ESCAP publications on trade, trade policies, regional integration, trade facilitation, and trade-related sustainable development issues.
Supporting the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network (ARTNeT), UN Network of Experts for Paperless Trade and Transport in Asia and the Pacific (UNNExT), and the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA).
Monitoring and evaluating regional trade agreements and maintaining the APTIAD database.
Analyzing data on trade flows, tariffs, and non-tariff measure trends.
Supporting section events through the website, social media, and logistical arrangements for training, conferences, and meetings.
Performing other tasks as required by the work programme.
Interns are encouraged to engage in research topics of interest; past interns have published joint working papers and policy briefs under supervision.
Competencies
Communication: Ability to draft clearly and concisely; strong written and oral English skills.
Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from diverse national and cultural backgrounds.
Client Orientation: Consider all service recipients as clients; anticipate and address client needs.
Planning & Organizing: Develop goals aligned with strategies, identify priorities, adjust plans as required.
Special Notice
Internships may be remote depending on visa, travel, and UN premises access constraints.
Interns are not financially remunerated; travel, visas, accommodation, and living costs are the responsibility of interns or sponsoring institutions.
Applicants should specify preferred start and end dates in the cover letter.
Complete online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required; incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Cover Note must include:
Title of degree currently pursuing
Graduation date
Period of availability for internship (availability for 4+ months is an advantage)
List of IT skills and software proficiency
Top three areas of interest/department preferences
Explanation of why the applicant is the best candidate
Explanation of interest in the United Nations Internship Programme
Personal History Profile: Include all past work experience, IT skills, and three references.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further consideration.
Qualifications/Special Skills
Must be enrolled in or have completed:
A graduate school programme (second university degree or higher), or
The final year of a first university degree programme (bachelor’s or equivalent).
Preferred field of study: Economics.
No prior working experience is required.
Languages
Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
Knowledge of an additional UN official language is an asset (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish).
Intern Specific Text
Interns are not financially remunerated.
Costs for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or sponsoring institutions.
Non-citizens or non-permanent residents may require visas and work/employment authorization.
Deadline : Sep 17, 2025
Start your application
Applications for this position must be completed on the recruiting organization's website.
