The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) is offering an Intern - Economic Affairs position in the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) in New York, United States. The internship lasts 3-6 months, is full-time (35 hours) and in-person by design, with flexible arrangements possible, and it is unpaid. Students in the final year of a bachelor's degree, Master's or Ph.D. students and recent graduates can apply until 15 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full job opening and set out every duty, requirement and condition below.
Internship Essentials
🏛️ Department: Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
🏢 Office: Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO)
🧭 Branch: Policy Analysis and Development Branch (PADB)
📍 Location: New York, United States
⏱️ Duration: 3-6 months (three months, with an opportunity for extension)
🕘 Hours: full-time, five days per week (35 hours)
🔢 Job Opening ID: 285741
In-Person, Remote, Hybrid or Part-Time?
The internship is designed to be in-person and full-time (35 hours), but it can be adjusted based on a request by the successful candidate. Depending on the situation of the successful candidate, the internship may also offer a Flexible Work Arrangement conducted:
🏠 Fully remote
🔄 Hybrid (in-person and remote)
⌛ Part-time
Length of the Internship and Extension
The DESA / FSDO internship is for three months, with an opportunity for extension, pending the needs of the department. The expected duration is 3-6 months. Interns work under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.
Inside the Policy Analysis and Development Branch
The position is located in the Policy Analysis and Development Branch (PADB) of FSDO. PADB:
🔬 Conducts research and analysis across the financing for development action areas, such as sustainable private finance, domestic public resources, international development cooperation, debt sustainability and the 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
🧭 Leads global technical guidance work on Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs)
The websites of the Office and of the INFF work are listed in the Links section below.
What the Intern Will Support
Under the supervision of a staff member of PADB, the intern will support PADB staff in conducting research and analysis across the financing for development action areas (for example domestic public resources, private finance, international development cooperation and debt sustainability), as well as ad hoc projects related to the Integrated National Financing Framework.
Project-Based Duties
🤝 Assistance in the work of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development
📝 Conducting research and preparing background papers on financing for sustainable development issues, including issues related to INFF implementation
🎙️ Attending and summarizing conferences and meetings
🗂️ Assistance during conferences with logistical and administrative arrangements
📈 Compiling statistics and data analysis
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Who Qualifies for the UN Internship Programme
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
🎓 Be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher, such as a Master's degree or equivalent, Ph.D. or postgraduate degree)
📚 Be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent)
In addition, applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications. A field of study in economics or an economics-related field is desirable.
Field of Study and Work Experience
🧑💼 Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience.
🧠 However, a field of study closely related to the type of internship you are applying for is required.
Proof of Your Studies
When applying, you are asked whether you meet one of the criteria above: a student in the final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), a Master's or Ph.D. programme or equivalent, or a graduate of a Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. programme. If you do:
✍️ Indicate which criterion you meet
📎 Attach proof to the application
🏅 Be ready to provide an official certificate at a later stage
Software and Additional Skills
💻 Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Teams
📰 Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts is desirable
📊 Ability to design surveys and polls is desirable
Language Requirements
🗣️ 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.
UN 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
UN Core Competencies: Teamwork
🤝 Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
🙌 Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise, and 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
UN Core Competencies: 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
What the UN Expects From Every Intern
🇺🇳 A demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter
🌏 A demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, including willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
An Unpaid Internship: Costs and Visas
💼 The internship is unpaid: 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 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 also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Find more opportunities like this in the Internship section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UN DESA Financing for Sustainable Development Office internship paid?
No. The internship is unpaid, and interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are covered by interns or their sponsoring institutions.
How long does the FSDO internship last?
The internship is for three months, with an opportunity for extension pending the needs of the department. The expected duration is 3-6 months.
Can I do this internship remotely or part-time?
It is designed to be in-person and full-time (35 hours), but it can be adjusted on request by the successful candidate. Depending on the candidate's situation, a Flexible Work Arrangement may be offered: fully remote, hybrid and/or part-time.
Who can apply for the Intern - Economic Affairs position?
You must be enrolled in or have completed a Master's, Ph.D. or other graduate programme, or be in or have completed the final academic year of a bachelor's degree. A field of study in economics or an economics-related field is desirable.
Do I need work experience?
No professional work experience is required for the UN Internship Programme. However, a field of study closely related to the internship is required.
What will the intern work on?
The intern supports research and analysis across financing for development areas, such as domestic public resources, private finance, international development cooperation and debt sustainability, plus INFF-related projects. Duties include background papers, summarizing meetings, conference support and data analysis.
What languages are required?
Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset.
Do I need a visa for the internship in New York?
Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their 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, including application, interview, processing or training.
Deadline
⏳ 15 November 2026
Links
🔗 Job opening (UN Careers): https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/285741?language=en
📝 Apply (Inspira): https://inspira.un.org/psp/PUNA1J/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Action=A&UNAction=Apply&JobOpeningId=285741&languageCd=ENG
🏛️ Financing for Sustainable Development Office: https://www.un.org/development/desa/financing/
🧭 Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFF): https://inff.org/
