Economic Affairs Intern

Support the implementation of the SDGs in South-East Asia through research and coordination activities.

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UNESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

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Application deadline 3 months ago: Saturday 21 Feb 2026 at 04:59 UTC

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Overview

Support the implementation of the SDGs in South-East Asia through research and coordination activities.

You have:

  • Be enrolled in, or have completed, a second university degree (master's degree or equivalent).
  • Have completed a first university degree (bachelor's degree or equivalent).
  • Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams and Canva.
  • Strong research and writing skills are preferable.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship.
  • Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset.

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Work Location

Bangkok, Thailand

Expected duration

3-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

ESCAP aims to support its members and associate members in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This internship is located within the Subregional Office for South-East Asia (SROSEA) of ESCAP. SROSEA promotes sustainable development across South-East Asia by bringing a subregional perspective to global issues and tailoring programs to regional needs. It supports the eleven South-East Asian member States in implementing the 2030 Agenda through policy dialogues, capacity-building initiatives, and partnerships with academic institutions, civil society, and the private sector. SROSEA also coordinates with ASEAN on key priorities such as digital transformation, climate action, and inclusive economic growth, while fostering youth engagement and innovation to address regional challenges. For more information on the work of the section, please refer to: https://www.unescap. org/subregional-office/south-east-asia. This internship is UNPAID and full-time for a period of six months. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of the Head, Subregional Office for South-East Asia. This internship is conducted in person, with the duty station located in Bangkok. The internship is centered on assisting the SROSEA in discharging a range of policy work and activities to support the implementation of the SDGs in South-East Asia. The following responsibilities can be adapted, as appropriate, to fit each intern. • Contribute to research initiatives on issues related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in ASEAN, including conducting literature reviews, compiling data, and drafting analytical inputs. • Assist in coordinating UN–ASEAN engagements and joint initiatives, helping prepare background materials, track activities, and support communication with internal and external partners. • Support the planning and delivery of SROSEA meetings and events, such as policy dialogues, workshops, and consultations. This includes assisting with agenda preparation, participant coordination, and logistical arrangements. • Develop communication and outreach materials, including flyers, press releases, newsletter content, and social media posts to support SROSEA visibility and engagement. • Provide support on special projects and other tasks as required, contributing to the broader work programme of the Office.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must meet the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a second university degree (master's degree or equivalent); (b) have completed a first university degree (bachelor's degree or equivalent); (c) Applicants must have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS teams and Canva; and (d) Strong research and writing skills are preferable. 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. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN 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.

Potential interview questions

How would you approach researching issues related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals? This question assesses your research skills and understanding of the SDGs. Discuss your methodology for conducting research, including how you identify credible sources and gather relevant data.
Can you provide an example of a time you successfully coordinated a project or event? The interviewer wants to gauge your coordination and organizational skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you use to develop engaging communication materials? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe your experience with digital tools and software relevant to this internship. How do you utilize them? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks when working under tight deadlines? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What do you see as the biggest challenge for implementing the SDGs in South-East Asia? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you handle communication with partners who have differing priorities? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you discuss a time when you had to adapt your work style to a new team or environment? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 4 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: careers.un.org