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 and provides substantive inputs to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
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.
The intern will report to a Senior Officer within DSDG.
Depending on the situation of the successful candidates, the internship may also offer a Flexible Work Arrangement to be conducted fully remote, hybrid (in-person and remote), temporary FWA for the purpose of G-4 visa processing, and/or part-time.
Responsibilities:
The Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) seeks to provide leadership and catalyze action in promoting and coordinating the implementation of internationally agreed development goals, including the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the COVID-19 crisis, DSDG continues to advance in its work, including by providing support to Member States and other stakeholders in responding to the pandemic. Duties may include, but are not limited to:
Assisting with the organization of virtual events and training sessions, supporting with the preparation of agendas, co-drafting background materials, and meeting reports, providing technical support to the moderator during the virtual event, supporting outreach, preparing summaries, reviewing participants lists, and preparing documents to be posted online.
Supporting the research for the preparation of papers and reports related to the work of the Branch through the collection of data from multiple resources.
Assisting in reviewing and analyzing data from multiple resources.
Researching and organizing information and assisting with analyzing trends.
Participating in virtual UN Headquarters events, as appropriate.
Assisting in the organization of upcoming conferences ie 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in 2025, and the Water Conference in 2026
Other ad hoc related activities to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
About You
Qualifications/special skills:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
Subject to review on a case-by-case basis, applicants within a few years from graduation who could not apply earlier and who are in an early stage of their careers; as a first-time entry into the workforce; are changing careers or due to compelling family circumstances.
Be computer literate in standard software applications.
No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advanced course work, or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
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 additional official United Nations languages is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
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.
Compensation & Benefits
This internship is unpaid, full-time. If you join as a full-time employee, you will get the following benefits:
Tax exemption
Allowances and benefits
Holidays and leave
Health insurance
Retirement pension
Training & Development
The intern will have the opportunity of learning and working in a very dynamic environment, where new approaches and methodologies are being implemented and tested daily. The intern will be able to contribute to virtual activities, including Webinars and online training. The intern will also engage collaboratively in research and analysis as well as in drafting and reviewing documents on several topics as well as engaging with stakeholders from different sectors and parts of the world.
Career Progress
UN internship will not automatically lead to a job with the UN, but with the experience you have acquired during your time as an intern, you might be interested in applying for General Service or consultancy positions. If you want to apply to positions at the Professional and Higher or Field Service levels, they ask you to let at least six months pass after the end of your internship before you submit your application and ensure that you fulfill not only the educational but also the work experience requirements that are outlined in each job opening.
Source
The following sources were used in researching this page: