Intern: Economic Affairs (Trade Policy)

Job Description

Work Location: Bangkok

Expected duration: 4-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations ESCAP (UN ESCAP) invites candidates who are interested in building their capacity through learning-by-doing and direct experience in working with professional Staff and experts on trade and trade policy to apply for the 4-to-6 month internship position in the Trade Policy and Facilitation Section (TPFS) of the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division of UN ESCAP. This position focuses on trade-policy-related work. The opportunities are available both for the remote and onsite internship programmes.

The work covers broad areas related to trade and trade policy. We aim to provide evidence, training, and policy guidance to governments and relevant stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region. Types of services include: conducting research and analysis; providing training and capacity building for policymakers and researchers; delivering advisory services to member governments; organizing regional dialogues, meetings and forums. Much of our work is focused on the development needs of the region’s least developed countries and other countries with special needs.

This internship program is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the Division or office to which they are assigned. This internship program has attracted very high calibre candidates, who, as part of this internship, gained invaluable academic and applied skills. Applicants who may be suitable for the scope of work should meet at least one of the following academic backgrounds: - Possessing an academic background in economics, with a particular emphasis on international trade economics and development economics. - Having academic backgrounds in econometrics, data management, data analysis, and data presentation. - Having academic backgrounds in international law. Internship opportunities are available throughout the year in both remote and onsite formats. The deadline for applications for the current call for interns is 31 August 2025. Internships are expected to commence around 1 Sep 2025 or at a mutually agreed-upon date between the candidate and the internship supervisor.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the intern’s background, the work of the intern’s supervisor, and the internship period. Duties may include some of the following items but are not limited to:

• Contribute to the policy research activities on contemporary issues related to trade, digital trade, e-commerce, global value chains, multilateral and regional trade agreements, globalization, and trade-related regulations with a focus on implications on sustainable and inclusive development.
• Undertake literature analysis, draft background and discussion documents and policy notes,
• Support the preparation of presentations, training-course materials
• Support the data work, including the identification of data sources, the collection and analysis of data, the update and maintenance of databases
• Edit and format papers -Support the organizing of online or onsite events such as seminars, training, online courses, and meetings, including related substantive, administrative, logistics, communication, and dissemination tasks, including preparing letters, event documents, social media and website

Competencies

Communication: Ability to draft clearly and concisely, good written and oral command of English.

Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from different national and cultural backgrounds to achieve organizational goals. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘client’ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies and identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.

Special Notice

1) MODE OF INTERNSHIPS: While it is optional to do internship remotely, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. 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.

2) A complete online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Please explain why you are the best candidate for this position based on the selection criteria outlined in this job opening. Be sure to include all relevant past work experience, skills, and provide three references.

IMPORTANT: The Cover Letter MUST include the information stipulated in the selection criteria above. Please make sure you organize the cover letter clearly showing the following information:

• Planned internship period and mode: Please specify the expected internship duration, starting and ending dates, and whether it will be conducted onsite or online. Note that a commitment to a 6-month internship could be advantageous.
• Software skills that you possess at a good or excellent level of knowledge.
• Relevant courses you have taken in the areas of Economics, International Trade Economics, Development Economics, Data Analysis, and International Laws.
• Highlights of research or work experience related to Economics, International Trade Economics, Development Economics, Data Analysis, and International Laws.

Should there be a need for an intern that matches the Applicant’s profile, the Applicant will be contacted directly by the Division.

Please note that due to the many applicants, the Division is not necessarily able to reply to each request, and only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further consideration.

Selection criteria

Due to the scope of work, the candidates who have met at least one of the following criteria may be given priority:

• Commit to spending six months in the internship programme (onsite or remote)
• Having a degree or studying PhD or postgraduate level in Economics or Laws
• Experience (through study, work, etc.) in international trade or development policies or Laws (trade-related or international laws)
• Experience in data management, data analysis and programming (e.g.excel, R, Python, web scraping, SQL)
• Experience in regulatory analysis or trade agreement analysis
• Having excellent drafting skills in English (academic style)
• Strong media and communication skills (e.g. Infographic, video, presentations, social media, copywriting, editing, formatting) .

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must, at the time of application, 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). Candidate must be studying or have a degree in Economics preferred. Work experience is optional to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advanced course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Note: We will not consider candidates who have completed a full 6 months internship in other entities and departments under the UN Secretariat, unless the candidate has completed a different advanced degree.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

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.

Job Opening ID: 261405

Job Network : -

Job Family : Economic Affairs

Category and Level : Internship, I-1Duty Station : BANGKOK

Department/Office : Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Date Posted : Jul 21, 2025

Deadline : Sep 3, 2025