Sustainable Development Intern: Research and Implementation of projects related to Sustainable Development Goals, New York

Work Location

This internship is designed to be in-person and full-time (35 hours) but can be adjusted based on request by the successful candidate.

Expected duration

2-6 months. Desired start date: 16 November 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

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 the 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. For more information, please visit our website at http://sdgs.un.org The Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) was mandated originally in “The Future We Want,” the outcome of the 2012 “Rio +20” conference on sustainable development. Three years later, as part of the 2030 Agenda, Member States reaffirmed the importance of the GSDR and then in 2016 requested that it would be written by an independent group of scientists (IGS). The IGS, appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General, consists of 15 leading experts from the natural and social sciences, representing developed and developing countries. The next GSDR is slated for release in September 2027. DSDG serves as secretariat for the Independent Group of Scientists (IGS) mandated by Member States to write the 2027 Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR). DSDG will hire interns for the fact checking of the report. The intern(s) will report to Chief of the Integrated Policy Analysis Branch (IPAB), DSDG Duties may include, but are not limited to:

1. Prepare a fact-checking Matrix The fact-checkers will prepare a matrix containing all facts referenced in the report including page and paragraph numbers and sources referred to in the report in the text, boxes and figures/tables. The fact-checkers will use this matrix to check draft text against original sources and confirm reference list.
2. Compile references for bibliography The fact-checkers will format all sources into endnotes and also produce a reference list/bibliography for the report using the United Nations Editorial Manual for format guidance.
3. Draft short research inputs The fact-checkers will compile evidence on specific sustainable development research topics for use by the IGS in the report on an as needed basis.
4. Carry out statistical analysis as required The fact-checkers will compile data and undertake statistical analysis to produce draft tables, graphs and calculations for use by the IGS as needed.

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); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). 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 have experience with reference management tools (Endnote, Zotero, Mendeley), knowledge of citation styles, and familiarity with academic peer review and editorial processes. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. 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. 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. Applicants who are children or siblings of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations Secretariat. An appointment shall not be granted to a person who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or sister, including step-parents, step-children, and step-siblings of a staff member. Do you have a family member(s) currently working in the UN Common System (UNCS)? If yes, please include the type of family member, first name, last name, date of birth, nationality, birth date, what UNCS the person works for, and if the person is an active or inactive staff member.

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 advantage. 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.