Intern

Job Description

Work Location
This internship is designed to be full-time and in person but can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate.

Expected duration
2 - 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Org. Setting and Reporting
The Statistics intern positions are in the various Branches within the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), based in New York. Statistics interns typically report to the Chief of a Section or to a Statistician.

The DESA/SD internship is for two months with an opportunity for extension, depending on the needs of the department. For more information about the Office, please visit https://unstats.un.org/home/.

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours). The unpaid internship is designed to be in person and full-time at the New York duty station. Depending on the situation of the successful candidates, the internship may also offer a Flexible Work Arrangement to be conducted fully remote, hybrid (in-person and remote), part-time, and/or temporary FWA for the purpose of G-4 visa processing.

Under each substantive area within the Statistics Division, including Economics Statistics, Demographic and Social Statistics, Environment and Geospatial Information, Development Statistics (Sustainable Development Goals) as well as Statistical Capacity Development.

These internship positions are located in different branches of the Statistical Division (SD) of DESA. The interns will contribute to various statistical projects and tasks supporting the division’s work on data collection, analysis, and dissemination.

The interns report to the Chief of Section or Unit, or to another SD staff member.

The interns will contribute to data collection, validation, analysis, and visualization projects within the Statistical Division, including support for statistical databases, software development, and preparation of reports, legal texts, and other documentation.

Specific tasks the intern will fulfil:

• Create research and written contributions for drafting of reports and other documents
• Support data collection, manipulation, validation, analysis, dissemination, and visualization
• Create software prototypes using programming languages such as Python
• Produce inputs for outreach efforts including social media content
• Maintain and update databases and dashboards
• Support the division with meetings and other ad hoc tasks as assigned
• Assist in designing, organizing, planning and managing the collection, evaluation, analysis, compilation and dissemination of statistical data.
• Assist in developing, implementing and managing statistical database(s).
• Assist in training and technical support on data collection programmes, country practices and other related information.
• Perform methodological research as inputs for technical documentation.
• Prepare draft technical documents for international, intergovernmental and expert group meetings and assist in drafting relevant reports.
• Assist in the organization of seminars, working groups and expert meetings.
• Assist with communication, data storytelling and data visualization (infographics) and outreach efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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);
• (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent).
• (c) knowledge of Python, R or similar is desirable.

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.

Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software application, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Teams.

Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts is desirable.

Ability to design surveys and polls is desirable.

Ability to develop software in Python or similar programming languages is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

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

Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Information
Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Deadline : Jan 15, 2026

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.