The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) is recruiting an Economic Affairs Intern for its Economic Analysis and Policy Division (EAPD) in New York. The internship is unpaid, lasts 3 months from a desired start date of 30 November 2026, and applications close on 12 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full job opening and set out every duty, requirement and condition below.
Internship Snapshot
📌 Position: Economic Affairs Intern
🏛️ Department: Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
🧭 Division: Economic Analysis and Policy Division, Development Policy Branch
📍 Duty station: New York
🏠 Work location: New York, full or part time, hybrid
⏱️ Expected duration: 3 months
🚀 Desired start date: 30 November 2026
🆔 Job Opening ID: 286893
🗂️ Job family: Economic Affairs (and Sustainable Development)
🏷️ Category and level: Affiliate Personnel, Internships, I-1
🪪 Recruitment type: Intern
About UN DESA and Its Economic Analysis and Policy Division
DESA is described in the job opening as a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and national action. Its work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 associated targets adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015.
The Economic Analysis and Policy Division provides research and policy analysis on global macroeconomic trends and prospects, frontier issues, emerging issues, and issues associated with countries in special situations, in the broad context of implementing the 2030 Agenda.
A Secretariat for the Committee for Development Policy
EAPD also serves as the Secretariat to the Committee for Development Policy, an independent advisory body to the Economic and Social Council. The Committee provides recommendations on cross-cutting development issues and reviews the status of countries in the least developed country (LDC) category.
Capacity Development Projects in Developing Countries
EAPD manages capacity development projects in developing countries, providing assistance through research, training and workshops. The intern supports this work, including communication and dissemination.
Your Role: Working With the Economic Affairs Officer
The intern reports to the Economic Affairs Officer in the DESA Economic Analysis and Policy Division, Development Policy Branch. The intern conducts research on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Least Developed Countries, and economic and social development, and assists with implementing capacity building activities, including communication and dissemination.
The intern works daily with the supervisor on research, with a strong emphasis on the 2030 Agenda.
Your Tasks as an Economic Affairs Intern
🔬 Conduct research with a strong emphasis on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Least Developed Countries, and economic and social development
🗺️ Conduct country-specific research on country experiences related to LDC graduation, and on macroeconomic, environmental and health policy issues
🎓 Provide assistance on implementing capacity building activities, including communication and dissemination of the work of the Development Policy Branch
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Duration, Start Date and Working Arrangement
⏳ The expected duration is 3 months
🗓️ The desired start date is 30 November 2026
🏢 The work location is New York, and the internship can be full time or part time
🔀 The arrangement is listed as hybrid
Academic Eligibility: Who Can Apply
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 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 Need Work Experience?
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 you are applying for is required.
Proof of Eligibility in Your Application
The application asks whether you meet any of the criteria above. If yes, you must indicate which one and attach proof to the application. You will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.
Software Skills: Office Tools and Stata
💻 Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Teams
📊 Working knowledge of statistical or econometric software such as Stata
Language Requirements
🗣️ Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship
🇺🇳 English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat
➕ Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage
🌏 The official languages of the UN Secretariat are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
Is the UN Internship Paid? Costs and Visa Arrangements
🧾 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 or employment authorization
💬 Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer
Because the placement is unpaid, it helps to plan your funding early. Our guide to how internships abroad for students really work explains the main routes and how funded and unfunded placements differ. You can also browse more internship opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
No Fee at Any Stage
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.
How to Apply
Submit your application through the UN careers portal before the deadline. In the application, state which academic requirement you meet and attach proof of it. An official certificate will be requested at a later stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the UN DESA Economic Affairs Intern do?
The intern conducts research on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Least Developed Countries, and economic and social development. The intern also carries out country-specific research on LDC graduation and on macroeconomic, environmental and health policy issues, and assists with capacity building activities, including communication and dissemination.
Is the UN DESA internship paid?
No. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
The expected duration is 3 months, with a desired start date of 30 November 2026. The work location is New York, full or part time, hybrid.
Who is eligible to apply?
You must be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme, or be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme. A closely related field of study is required, but no professional work experience is needed.
Which skills and languages do I need?
You need fluency in spoken and written English, good knowledge of MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Teams, and working knowledge of statistical or econometric software such as Stata. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.
Do I need to prove that I meet the academic requirement?
Yes. In the application you indicate which requirement you meet and attach proof. You will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.
Do I need a visa for the internship in New York?
Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship takes place may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work or employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the offer.
Does the UN charge an application fee?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process and does not concern itself with applicants' bank account information.
Deadline
⏳ 12 November 2026
Links
🔗 Job opening: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/286893?language=en
📝 Application (Apply): https://inspira.un.org/psp/PUNA1J/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Action=A&UNAction=Apply&JobOpeningId=286893&languageCd=ENG
