Sustainable Development - Intern

Job Description

Work Location

• Onsite – Bangkok

Expected Duration

• 3–6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region.
• It promotes cooperation among 53 member States and 9 associate members to address sustainable development challenges.
• ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations and reports to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• The Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) provides guidance to divisions, subregional offices, and regional institutes on implementing ESCAP’s programme of work and ensuring accountability.
• The internship is unpaid and full-time (37.5 hours per week) for a duration of 3–6 months, under the direct supervision of the Sustainable Development Officer/Secretary of Commission, OES.

Responsibilities

Knowledge Management

• Assist in organizing substantive materials related to ESCAP’s work in support of the Deputy Executive Secretary’s (DES) engagements.
• Collect and consolidate information on the development and outcomes of global and regional intergovernmental dialogues.
• Assist in the design and development of products supporting ESCAP’s high-level engagement.
• Support the development of meeting notes and background materials related to DES engagements.
• Assist in developing data work and analytical knowledge products to support training, learning events, and capacity development initiatives.
• Update ESCAP websites with relevant material.

Coordination

• Support coordination of missions by the DES.
• Provide logistical support to meetings and events, including preparatory meetings for the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development.
• Support coordination of inter-divisional and inter-agency meetings.
• Contribute to inter-agency coordination activities as part of the Secretariat of the Regional Collaborative Platform for the Asia-Pacific region.
• Support OES advocacy and communications work, including:
• • Liaising with communications teams and partners.
  • Designing outreach materials.
  • Collecting and using images, quotes, and other media products.
• Support the development and coordination of regional SDG implementation reviews, focusing on SDGs 3, 5, 8, 14, and 17.
• Provide other coordination support as required by the supervisor.

Research Support

• Conduct background research and prepare information materials for DES and ES high-level engagements.
• Provide research assistance for DES speaking engagements.
• Support background and preliminary research for the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development.
• Assist in evaluating meetings and projects, and compiling statistics.
• Provide other research support as required by the supervisor.
• Support the team’s day-to-day activities and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Special Skills

• Must meet one of the following:
• • Enrolled in or completed a graduate programme (Master’s degree or equivalent, or higher).
  • Enrolled in or completed the final academic year of a first university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent).
• Proof of enrolment or completion is required.
• No professional work experience required, but a field of study related to the internship is desirable.
• Strong proficiency in English writing, note-taking, summarizing, and research.
• Good knowledge of MS Office Suite; experience with design tools is desirable.

Languages

• Working languages: English and French.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an asset.

Additional Information

• In your motivation statement, include:
• • Desired start date and availability period.
  • Explanation of your interest in the UN Internship Programme.
  • Familiarity with sustainable development challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Any experience in intergovernmental meetings or organizations such as the UN.
• In your Candidate Profile, include all past work experience (if any), IT skills, and three references.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• ESCAP may select candidates, extend, or close the posting at any time—applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Intern Specific Information

• 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.
• Non-resident interns may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization before starting.
• Successful candidates should confirm specific visa requirements prior to accepting the offer.

Deadline : Oct 28, 2025