Intern - Economic Affairs, 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

3-6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) / Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) internship is for three months, with an opportunity for extension, pending the needs of the department. For more information about the Office, please visit https://www.un.org/development/desa/financing/ 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. Depending on the situation of the successful candidate, the internship may also offer a Flexible Work Arrangement to be conducted fully remote, hybrid (in-person and remote), and/or part-time. The position is located in the Policy Analysis and Development Branch (PADB) of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. PADB conducts research and analysis across the financing for development action areas (e.g., sustainable private finance, domestic public resources, international development cooperation, debt sustainability, and international financial architecture), coordinates the annual Financing for Sustainable Development Report, which provides a concise overview of progress in implementing the Financing for Development outcomes and recommendations for Member States' consideration, and leads global technical guidance work on Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) (see https://inff.org/). Under the supervision of a Staff Member of the Policy Analysis and Development Branch (PADB) at the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) of UNDESA, the Intern will support PADB staff in conducting research and analysis across the financing for development action areas (e.g. domestic public resources, private finance, international development cooperation, debt sustainability) as well as ad hoc projects related to the Integrated National Financing Framework. The duties are project-based and may include:

• Assistance in the work of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development
• Conduct research and prepare background papers on financing for sustainable development issues, including on issues related to INFF implementation.
• Attending and summarizing conferences and meetings
• Assistance during conferences with logistical and administrative arrangements
• Compiling statistics and data analysis

Competencies

The United Nations Core Competencies include:

Core Competencies:

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately
• Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
• Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others
• Places team agenda before personal agenda
• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client Orientation:

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
• Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
• Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

The intern is expected to: 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 demonstrated the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

• 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 as Master’s 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).
• Be computer literate in standard software applications.
• Field of study in economics or an economics-related field is desirable.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.
4. Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts is desirable.
5. Ability to design surveys and polls is desirable.

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 an additional official UN language is an asset.

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.