Intern: Policy Research Section (Hybrid)

Job Description

Work Location: Geneva/Remote/Hybrid

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The position is at 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. 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.

The internship is located in the Investment Policy Research Section of the Division on Investment and Enterprise, United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The Investment Policy Research section is responsible for monitoring, assessing and analyzing investment policies adopted by the member States of the United Nations, so as to identify and address key and emerging policy challenges and trends and inform investment policy-making that supports sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs. The Section produces research, briefs, and reports, and provides technical assistance, including advisory services and capacity building, to enhance investment laws and policies for sustainable development.

Additionally, it supports Division activities, helps organize the World Investment Forum and contributes to other policy analysis. The internship is for six months which is the maximum duration. The estimated start date is as soon as possible.

Carrying out his/her tasks under the direct supervision of an Economic Affairs Officer and the overall supervision of the Chief of Section, the intern will perform the following functions:

• Assist in conducting thematic literature reviews.
• Assist in collecting data on policy measures related to FDI and their impact, including through desk research and surveys.
• Assist in analyzing data and prepare tables and charts.
• Assist in drafting inputs for publications prepared by the Section
• Assist in carrying out other research tasks as directed.
• Perform other duties as required.

Training and mentoring will be provided all along the internship.

More generally, interns shall:

• Observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions, procedures, and directives of the Organization, notwithstanding their status as described in section 5 of the UN Internship Programme Administrative Instructions ST/AI/2020/1.
• 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 whch 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.

To work remotely, the applicant shall have full access to a computer with a modern browser in which to run 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 the password manager enabling the creation of strong passwords and to secure access to all UNCTAD/UN-related resources.

Qualifications/special skills

The United Nations internship programme is intended to expose students or recent graduates to the United Nations in order to enhance their educational experience and to help them to gain experience in the work of the Organization.

Therefore, applicants to the programme 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).

Moreover, interns should:

• 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; and
• 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.

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. For this internship, studies in areas such as economics, international economics, development, public policy or international relations is required.

Languages

Fluency spoken and written in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language would be an asset.

Additional Information

Six (6) months starting from 15 September 2025.

Deadline: September 8, 2025