Internship: Sustainable Development Goals

Job Description

Job Opening ID: 239641
Job Network : -
Job Family : Environmental Affairs
Category and Level : Internship, I-1
Duty Station : NEW YORK
Department/Office : Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Date Posted : Jan 23, 2026
Deadline : Feb 26, 2026

Work Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York.

This internship is designed to be in-person and full time (five days a week/35 hours) but can be adjusted to hybrid or remote based on request by successful candidate.

Expected duration: 2-6 Months / 23 March 2026

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Setting and Reporting

This internship is with the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

The Division provides leadership in promoting and coordinating implementation of the sustainable development agenda of the United Nations and serves as the global secretariat for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and provides substantive inputs to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

For more information, please visit our website at http://sdgs.un.org

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. The intern will report to a Senior Officer within DSDG.

The unpaid internship is designed to be in person and full-time. Depending on the situation of the successful candidates, the internship may also offer a Flexible Work Arrangement to be conducted fully remote, hybrid (in-person and remote), temporary FWA for the purpose of G-4 visa processing, and/or in part-time.

Responsibilities

The Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) seeks to provide leadership and catalyze action in promoting and coordinating implementation of internationally agreed development goals, including the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the COVID-19 crisis, DSDG continues to advance on its work, including by providing support to Member States and other stakeholders in responding to the pandemic.

The intern will have the opportunity of learning and working in a very dynamic environment, where new approaches and methodologies are being implemented and tested daily. The intern will be able to contribute to virtual activities, including Webinars and online training. The intern will also engage collaboratively in research and analysis as well as in drafting and reviewing documents on several topics as well as engage with stakeholders from different sectors and parts of the world.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting with the organization of virtual events and training sessions, supporting with the preparation of agendas, co-drafting background materials, and meeting reports, providing technical support to the moderator during the virtual event, supporting outreach, preparing summaries, reviewing participants lists and preparing documents to be posted online.
• Supporting the research for the preparation of papers and reports related to the work of the Branch through the collection of data from multiple resources.
• Assisting in reviewing and analyzing data from multiple resources.
• Researching and organizing information and assisting with analyzing trends.
• Participating in virtual UN Headquarters events, as appropriate.
• Assisting in the organization of upcoming conferences i.e. ECOSOC Partnership Forum, 11th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals, High-Level Political Forum 2026, 3rd UN Water Conference, UN Decade of Sustainable Transport, Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR).
• Other ad hoc related activities to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• (a) Be enrolled in, or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher such a Masters degree or equivalent, Ph.D. or postgraduate degree);
• (b) Be enrolled in, or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
• (c) Subject to review on a case-by-case basis, applicants within a few years from graduation who could not apply earlier and who are in an early stage of their careers; as a first time entry into the workforce; are changing careers or due to compelling family circumstances.

Be computer literate in standard software applications. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme.

Your training, education, advanced course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of additional official United Nations language is an asset.

Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Information

Not available.

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: February 26, 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.