Internship Opportunity: Intern – Economic Affairs (Trade Policy & Facilitation) – UN ESCAP (Bangkok / Remote)
Are you an economics student or recent graduate eager to contribute to trade, investment, and innovation policies in the Asia-Pacific region? If so, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) actively seeks a dedicated ESCAP Economic Intern to join its Trade Policy and Facilitation Section.
This is an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international economic research, policy analysis, and capacity building. Crucially, you’ll focus specifically on the development needs of least developed countries. Ultimately, you’ll work within a dynamic team that directly influences regional integration and sustainable development.
Job Opening Number: 25–ESCAP-257381-V-BANGKOK Application Deadline: June 11, 2025 Work Location: Bangkok, Thailand (or remote, depending on needs) Expected Duration: 2-6 months (unpaid, full-time)
What You’ll Do as an ESCAP Economic Intern:
Your daily responsibilities will vary based on your background and the section’s needs. However, broadly speaking, they may include:
- Research & Analysis: You will conduct background research, literature reviews, and draft inputs for ESCAP publications. Specifically, these contributions will cover issues related to trade, trade policies, regional integration, trade facilitation, and trade-related sustainable development.
- Programme Support: You will support key initiatives such as the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network (ARTNeT), the UN Network of Experts for Paperless Trade and Transport in Asia and the Pacific (UNNExT), and the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA). Furthermore, you’ll work to improve research dissemination via various channels, including social media and webpages.
- Data Management: You will monitor and evaluate regional trade agreements. Additionally, you’ll maintain the APTIAD database and conduct data analysis on trade flows, tariffs, and non-tariff measure trends.
- Event & Logistical Support: You will provide support for section events, including website and social media updates. Moreover, you’ll offer logistical assistance for training events, conferences, and meetings.
- Research Opportunities: We encourage interns to engage in research topics of their and their supervisor’s interest. Indeed, past interns, working under the supervision of professional staff, have published joint working papers and policy briefs.
Who We’re Looking For as an ESCAP Economic Intern:
Education: To qualify as an ESCAP Economic Intern, you must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application:
- You are enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
- Alternatively, you are enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).
We highly prefer candidates with a background in Economics. No prior work experience is required for this program; rather, your training, education, or advanced coursework should directly benefit the United Nations.
Language Skills:
- Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
- Knowledge of an additional official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an asset.
Core Competencies:
- Communication: You draft clearly and concisely, with strong written and oral English skills.
- Teamwork: You possess good interpersonal skills and work collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds to achieve organizational goals.
- Client Orientation: You consider all service recipients as ‘clients’ and strive to understand their point of view.
- Planning & Organizing: You develop clear goals consistent with agreed strategies, identify priority activities, and adjust priorities as required.
Internship Conditions & Application Process:
- UNPAID: This internship is unpaid. Consequently, all costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the intern’s responsibility or their sponsoring institution’s.
- Location Flexibility: While the duty station is Bangkok, we may request applicants to undertake the internship remotely. This is because it depends on potential constraints regarding travel and UN premises access.
- Visa & Work Authorization: Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Thailand may need to obtain appropriate visas and work/employment authorization. Therefore, successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the offer.
To Apply: You must submit a complete online application, including a Cover Note and Personal History Profile. Please note that we will not review incomplete applications.
Your Cover Note must include:
- The title of the degree you are currently pursuing.
- Your Graduation Date.
- Your period of availability for the internship. (Notably, availability for more than 4 months could be an advantage).
- A list of IT skills and programs in which you are proficient.
- A list of your top three areas of interest/department preferences.
- An explanation of why you are the best candidate for this post.
- An explanation of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.
Finally, be sure to include all past work experience, IT skills, and three references in your Personal History Profile.
Due to the high volume of applications, we only contact short-listed applicants for further consideration. https://inspira.un.org/psc/UNCAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Page=UN_JOB_DETAIL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=257381&