Work Location

In-Person Full-time

Expected duration

6 months and to start 15 January 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges. The ESCAP secretariat supports inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in the region by generating action-oriented knowledge, and by providing technical assistance and capacity-building services in support of national development objectives, regional agreements and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Asia-Pacific region is currently not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular the environmental Goals. The region faces a number of interconnected environmental challenges, such as climate change, air, water and marine pollution and biodiversity loss, threatening development gains, often undermining the enjoyment of human rights, and exacerbating societal inequalities. The impacts are wide, varied and complex and require new insights, enhanced cooperation among countries, project responses that reflect the needs of member States, and opportunities for wide engagement of diverse stakeholders. The Division is currently welcoming interns with a proactive approach and commitment to addressing the barriers to progress. The position is located in the Environment and Development Policy Section, Environment and Development Division. The Environment and Development Policy Section plays a leading role in facilitating the analysis, development, promotion and dissemination of innovative policies in the field of environment and development in the Asian and Pacific region and in particular climate change, air pollution, water resource management, nature-based solutions and the sustainable management of oceans and seas and marine resources, as well as strengthening environmental governance. The internship is UNPAID and full-time for the duration of 4-6 months. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the Environment and Development Policy Section. The internship is in-person in Bangkok, or interns should do at least some parts of the internship in Bangkok. This internship is an opportunity to help shape policy advocacy and support decision-making. Among other activities, the Section establishes and developsframeworks and platforms for cooperation among countries and cities, develops knowledge products, policy briefs, infographics, and other tools to support countries in Asia-Pacific in various aspects of environment and development policy formulation, particularly in relation to the nexus with climate change. Its work on climate policy is intended to accelerate the ambition of their NDC pledges to enhance climate mitigation and adaptation actions. Such NDC pledges need to be aligned with the Paris Agreement requirements and to keeping global warming within 1.5⁰C, and to support rapid transition towards an equitable low-carbon and climate and disaster-resilient development pathway. The intern will support the delivery of projects and activities, including but not limited to conducting research on related issues. The required tasks will include:

Assist with relevant research for data collection and analysis in support of major knowledge products
Develop infographics, attractive and interactive presentation of such GHG projections/scenarios, posters
Support with the development of policy briefs and other outreach material
Support the development of draft agenda, background documents and related side events and exhibits during various conferences.
Assist the organization of webinars, online courses and subregional and regional consultations and climate awareness on the SDG Help Desk

Qualifications/special skills

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). 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 have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. Design software skills in development of infographics, posters, and publications are desirable. Video development skills are an asset. Excellent communication skills (speaking and writing) in English are required. Ability to draft news articles and/or social media posts is desirable. Ability to design surveys and polls is desirable.

Languages

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.

Intern Specific text

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

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Environment Affairs Intern: Environment and development