UNCTAD Internship in the Division on International Trade and Commodities

in-person basis, remote or hybrid.

05.10.26 - 04.04.27

The internship position is located in the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Internship Programme is unpaid and full-time, i.e., an intern is expected to work five days per week (40 hours). This internship positions is offered on an in-person basis, remote or hybrid. The internships will be located in the Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch, Division on International Trade and Commodities (DITC). The internships will tentatively start on 5 October for six months. For in-person internships, interns must have a valid visa. All costs of travel, accommodation, medical insurance and living expenses must be covered by the intern. If the applicant works remotely, he/she shall have full access to a computer with a modern browser in which to run the latest version of Office 365 applications that will allow him/her to perform the tasks within the scope of the internship. The computer must have basic IT security best practices implemented. Under the supervision of the Project Officer, duties may include but are not limited to: Scientific, policy and data analysis: - Research and summarise scientific, technical and policy evidence on circular economy and trade, including sustainable materials, chemicals, plastics, waste and life cycle or alternatives assessments. - Compile, clean and analyse quantitative data using Python or R, including trade, non-tariff measure, materials and environmental data, and document methods so the analysis can be reproduced. - Support analysis of selected materials, chemicals and plastics of concern in traded products and value chains, including regulatory listings, hazards, alternatives, substitution, recycled content and waste streams. - Provide analytical and data inputs on standards, traceability, market access and other trade conditions affecting developing-country producers and circular value chains. - Prepare concise briefing notes, presentations, speeches and interventions translating technical evidence into clear messages for non-specialist audiences. - Use digital and AI-assisted tools where appropriate to support research, data handling, drafting and quality control, with substantive outputs verified against authoritative sources. Meeting and communications support: - Support preparations for Circular Economy Programme events, briefings and training, including stakeholder coordination, materials and follow-up. - Follow relevant UNCTAD and intergovernmental processes on circular economy and plastics and chemical pollution, and prepare concise meeting notes, summaries and related materials. - Help translate complex scientific, technical and policy content into accessible language in news items and other communication and outreach materials for diverse stakeholder groups. Technical cooperation/Capacity building: - Compile and analyse scientific, regulatory, trade and environmental evidence for technical cooperation proposals, reports and resource mobilisation activities. - Support the consolidation of SMEP evidence and the preparation of concept notes, results frameworks, training materials and other inputs for possible successor work. General: - Performs other related duties as required for the delivery of the workplan of the Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch of DITC. - Undertakes on-the-job and other training activities (if available during the internship). More generally, interns shall: 1. Observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions, procedures and directives of the Organization notwithstanding their status as described in section 4 of the UN Internship Programme Administrative Instructions ST/AI/2000/9 & ST/AI/2005/11. 2. Provide the receiving departments/offices with a copy of all materials prepared by them during the internship. The UN shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to or is made in consequence of, the services provided under the internship. At the request of the UN, the interns shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to the UN in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law. 3. Respect the impartiality and independence required of the UN and of the receiving department/office and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to the UN. 4. Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the receiving department/office, they may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any other external source any information which has become known to them by reason of their association with the UN or the receiving department/office, that they know or ought to have known has not been made public. They may not use any such information without the written authorization of the appropriate official, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations also apply after the end of the internship with the UN. 5. Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the UN or on the receiving department/office and will not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the UN.

The United Nations internship programme is intended to expose students or recent graduates to the United Nations in order to enhance their educational experience and to help them to gain experience in the work of the Organization. Therefore, applicants to the programme must at the time of application 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). Moreover, interns should: • Should be computer literate in standard software applications; • Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and • Have a demonstrated 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. The candidate’s university degree must be in the area of natural sciences or engineering relevant to materials, chemicals, pollution or circular economy or related field are required. No working experience is required for this internship. However, for this position the University degree must be in the area of environmental science, chemistry, materials science, chemical or environmental engineering, and industrial ecology. or related field. 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. 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. Demonstrated experience using Python or R for scientific data handling and environmental modeling; Ability to read, interpret and summarise scientific and technical literature, including life cycle, hazard or alternatives assessments; Ability to explain technical findings clearly and effectively to non-specialist audiences; and strong analytical writing skills in English.

Fluency oral and written in English is required. Knowledge of French, Spanish, Chinese is an advantage.

Not available.

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.