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.