INTERN – STRATEGIC PLANNING

Flexible (Hybrid, all remote, or in-person)

2-6 Months. Desired start date is 2 November 2026, or sooner.

The internship is for a minimum of two months with an opportunity for extension to a maximum of six months. The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in SPCS to which they are assigned. While this internship is designed to be carried out in-person at UNHQ in New York, telecommuting within or away from the duty station, or a part-time schedule, may be exceptionally considered depending on the specific situation of the selected candidate. We seek motivated interns to support the work of the Strategic Planning and Communications Services (SPCS) in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General (OUSG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). Rooted in the United Nations Charter and guided by the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UN DESA upholds the development pillar of the United Nations. We bring the global community together to work towards common solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. We help countries translate their global commitments into national action in the economic, social and environmental spheres. We are a leading analytical voice for promoting inclusion, reducing inequalities, and eradicating poverty. UN DESA helps countries make informed decisions by providing a wealth of information through our publications and databases and through our support for international deliberations at the United Nations General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Commissions, Forums and other bodies. SPCS is responsible for providing strategic planning, communications services and information technology support to the Department. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and the internship period. The selected intern’s duties may include, but are not limited to the following, while embracing the UN 2.0 vision through innovative and data-driven approaches: -Tracking, researching and analyzing information on assigned topics, gathering information from diverse sources and assessing potential impact; -Support the preparation of senior-level management meetings, conferences and retreats; -Support the preparation of background notes, summary briefs, and option papers; -Support the tracking and analysis of decisions or tasks and their implementation; -Assist in the preparation of speeches and talking points; -Help monitor, identify and analyze global trends on sustainable development; -Support the preparation of analytical reports, papers, talking points and correspondences; -Assist in coordinating the formulation of strategies, programmes and policies; -Support the preparation of meetings, events, talks and visits; -Assisting in ad hoc requests and projects relating to the strategic planning efforts of SPCS; -Performing other duties as assigned.

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 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 that you are applying for is required. Work experiences as well as interests, skills and knowledge in several of the following areas are desirable: - International affairs, gender equality, sustainable development; - Attention to detail and a passion for leadership support; - Strategy / management consulting, policy work or executive support; - Analytics, performance optimization and data visualization; - Presentation design skills (e.g., knowledge of Adobe InDesign/ Illustrator); - Data and digital skills, with an understanding of innovative approaches including data-driven analysis, and strategic foresight. 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 meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants who have previously served six months, in total, as an intern in one or more UN Common Systems cannot be engaged as an intern. Applicants who are children, siblings, and sons or daughters-in-law (including stepchildren, half-siblings, or stepsiblings) of an active staff member in a UN Common System cannot be engaged as an intern. In your Motivational Statement, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that the start and end dates are flexible. A complete online application is required. The Motivational Statement must also include: • Title of degree you are currently pursuing. • Graduation Date (When will you be graduating/have graduated from the programme?) • Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship • Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

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.