International Investment Agreements Section - Intern

Job Description

Work Location

• Remote/In-Person

Expected Duration

• 05 January 2026 – 30 June 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

• Position is in the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Division on Investment and Enterprise, Investment Policies Branch.
• Internship is unpaid, full-time (5 days/week, 40 hours), offered either in-person (valid visa required) or remotely.
• Expose interns to all three pillars of UNCTAD’s activities: research, intergovernmental meetings, and technical assistance to Governments, mainly from developing countries.

Research

• Assist in collecting data on IIAs (bilateral investment treaties and treaties with investment provisions), including G20 reporting and IIA database.
• Collect data on investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) cases, updating the ISDS database.
• Conduct research on recent investment policy trends, monitoring national and international developments reported in UNCTAD publications.
• Update mapping of IIAs in Excel according to UNCTAD’s Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development.
• Map other IIA features, including emerging issues like investment facilitation and cooperation.
• Conduct background research and help finalize IIA Issues Notes on specific topics related to IIAs and ISDS.

Intergovernmental Meetings

• Assist in organizing and preparing UNCTAD intergovernmental processes, including expert meetings, Annual IIA Conference, World Investment Forum, and Multistakeholder Platform on IIA Reform.
• Support invitations, confirmations, and inputs for speech writing and presentations by UNCTAD senior staff.

Technical Assistance

• Conduct background research and analysis for technical assistance (e.g., review of country IIA networks or model treaty commentary).
• Organize capacity-building activities, prepare slides, exercises, or background material for training, and organize face-to-face or virtual meetings, seminars, or workshops.
• Proofread and edit publications.
• Update the Investment Policy Hub website and support social media, tweeting, webinars.
• Prepare inputs for reporting on programme activities.

Remote Work Requirements

• Full access to a computer with a modern browser and latest Office 365 applications.
• Ensure basic IT security: latest Windows updates, enabled firewall, and password manager.

General Intern Responsibilities

• Observe all applicable UN rules, regulations, instructions, procedures, and directives.
• Provide the receiving departments/offices with copies of all materials prepared during the internship; UN retains property rights, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
• Respect UN impartiality and independence; do not accept external instructions regarding services performed.
• Do not communicate confidential information to media, institutions, governments, or external sources without authorization.
• Avoid any conduct adversely reflecting on UN or the receiving department.
• There is no expectation of employment within the UN after the internship; interns cannot apply for professional-level positions for six months after internship ends.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• Applicants must meet one of the following:
• • Enrolled in or recently completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or higher).
  • Enrolled in or recently completed final year of a first university degree (minimum bachelor’s level).
• Interns should:
  • Be computer literate in standard software applications.
  • Demonstrate interest in UN work and commitment to UN Charter ideals.
  • Show ability to interact successfully with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs.
• No prior work experience required; related field of study is required.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English required.
• Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Additional Information

• Candidates assessed based on Personal History Profile (PHP); individual interviews may be conducted.
• Complete online application (Cover Note + PHP) required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
• Cover Note should include: degree title, graduation date, IT skills, and explanation why candidate is best fit.
• Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Intern Specific Text

• Interns are not financially remunerated.
• Costs for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or sponsoring institution.
• Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents may require visas or work/employment authorization.
• Successful candidates should confirm specific visa requirements before accepting the offer.

Deadline : Nov 27, 2025