Economic Affairs Intern

Remotely and/or on-site in Bangkok

3 to 6 months

The Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division (MPFD) provides a combination of normative-analytical and capacity-development activities to 53 member States and 9 associate members of ESCAP, taking into account the significant variation in their geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic conditions. The Division undertakes analytical studies and policy-oriented research, provides capacity building, and facilitates policy dialogues on medium- to long-term macroeconomic and financing for development issues facing the region.  More details are available at www.unescap.org/our-work/macroeconomic-policy-financing-development.

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. The minimum duration of an internship is two months and can be extended up to a total period of six months. Interns work five days per week (35 hours).

MPFD currently has openings for interns in two areas: 1) macroeconomic policy and analysis; and 2) financing for development. 

Under the general guidance of the Section Chief and the direct supervision of a responsible officer, the intern will contribute to the research work of the Division and support capacity development activities and the organization of workshops and other meetings. While responsibilities vary over time according to the needs of the Division, typical tasks include the following:

Macroeconomic policy and analysis:
• Undertake research and analysis in such areas as: monetary policy, fiscal policy, tax cooperation, efficiency and governance of public finance, econometric analysis for policy evaluation.
• Identify key short- to medium-term risks to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Prepare summary tables, graphs, and other inputs, as needed, for ESCAP publications such as the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific, working papers and policy briefs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Financing for development:
• Undertake research and analysis on sustainable and green financing instruments and modalities such as green banking, green bonds, guarantees, debt-for-climate swaps, blended finance models, and other possible topics such as capital market development, digital finance, digital taxation, and integrated national financing frameworks (INFF).
• Support the implementation of demonstration projects, such as the issuance of sustainable bonds and other financing mechanisms.
• Support the implementation of national- and regional-level projects in the areas listed above, including through tracking trends and documenting case studies and best practices.
• Undertake research and analysis in: sustainable development challenges and success factors, and policy actions at the national- and regional-levels in accelerating financing for various areas of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Support technical consultations, events, and workshops to assist government stakeholders in the implementation of green finance strategies.
• Prepare summary tables, graphs, and other inputs, as needed, for ESCAP publications such as the Financing for Development Series, working papers and policy briefs
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

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

• Meet one of the following requirements:
a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent)
• Have studied areas such as macroeconomics, international economics, development economics/studies, political economy, applied econometrics or statistics, finance, environmental studies, business administration, engineering/physics/mathematics or related areas;
• Computer literacy in standard software applications and in statistical packages such as Stata, Eviews, SPSS and R is desirable, but not required;
• Have demonstrated a 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 includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
Ability to interact well with people of various social and cultural backgrounds in an occasionally stressful environment is desirable.
Ability to comfortably working as part of a larger team is desirable.
Ability to work under tight deadlines and multitask is desirable.
Good drafting and oral communication skills is desirable.
Experience in reference research is desirable.
Having studied statistical methods is desirable.
Having familiarity with or experience in data analysis is desirable.

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 another official UN language, such as Chinese or Russian, is an asset.

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.