Internship: Policy Research Section (Hybrid)

Job Description

Job Opening ID: 273518
Job Network : -
Job Family : Economic Affairs
Category and Level : Internship, I-1
Duty Station : GENEVA
Department/Office : United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Date Posted : Mar 3, 2026
Deadline : Mar 16, 2026

Work Location: Geneva/remote/hybrid

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 policy measures 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 UNPAID and full-time.

The internship is offered on a remote, or/and hybrid basis.

Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

The internship is for six months which is the maximum duration. The estimated start date is as soon as possible.

The main responsibility of the intern will be to make a contribution to the research work of the Section. The research will focus on policies affecting foreign direct investment. 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 conduct thematic literature reviews and desk research on investment policies and sustainable development.
• Assist in collecting, organize and analyze qualitative and quantitative data on policy measures related to FDI and their impact, including through desk research and surveys.
• Assist in preparing inputs, including tables and charts, for publications prepared by the Section.
• Support the integration of research outputs into policy dialogue, outreach, and dissemination activities.
• Assisting in the preparation, coordination, and organization of meetings, partnerships, and international events, including support to the World Investment Forum.
• Liaising, as appropriate, with internal and external stakeholders in the context of research, partnerships, and event-related activities.
• Perform other duties as required.

Training and mentoring will be provided all along the internship.

More generally, interns shall:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 which 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.
5. 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.

Remote Work Requirements

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:

• 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.

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.

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 within 12 months of the application date. 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.

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.

Assessment

Candidates will be assessed based on their Personnel History Profiles (PHP). Individual interviews may be conducted for further assessment. A complete online application (Cover Note and Personal History profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The cover Note must include:

• Title of degree.
• Graduation date (when will you be graduating from the programme, if not yet graduated).
• List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
• Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship position.

In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experience, if any; IT skills and three (3) references.

Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

Special Notice

This profile is for the sole purpose of the Internship Programme of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development. There should be no expectation of employment within the UN after the internship.

Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, positions at the professional level and above carrying international recruitment status in the Secretariat for a period of six months following the end of their internship.

Applicants who are children or siblings of a staff member are not eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. Applicants who are otherwise related to a staff member may be engaged as interns, provided that they are neither assigned to the same work unit as such staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of such staff member.

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: March 16, 2026