Intern: Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

Job Description

Work Location: UNHQ

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is located in Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Division seeks to strengthen international cooperation for social development, particularly in the areas of poverty eradication, productive employment and decent work, as well as the social inclusion of older persons, youth, family, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and persons marginalized from society and development.

The intern will work under the supervision of and report to the Social Affairs Officer in the Programme on Youth Unit (PYU) of the Social Inclusion and Participation Branch (SIPB).

Qualifications/special skills

• 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.
• 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 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.

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

The intern will support youth development initiatives related to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY). This includes research, drafting policy briefs, promoting youth inclusion in intergovernmental processes (e.g., UN Youth Delegate Programme), and facilitating collaboration within the Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development.

Additionally, the role involves raising awareness on youth issues, preparing International Youth Day activities, and developing materials to communicate the Unit’s work to stakeholders.

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.

DEADLINE: March 24, 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.