Work Location

In person in New York or remote, full time or part time modalities would be considered.

Expected duration

6 months - January 2027

Duties and Responsibilities

Office Background The Secretary-General established the United Nations Sustainable Development Group System-Wide Evaluation Office (SWEO) to strengthen oversight, transparency, accountability, and collective learning across the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, in line with the provisions of the 2024 UNSDG System-Wide Evaluation Policy. The SWEO is responsible for the conduct of a small number of global system-wide evaluations on the most strategic and relevant system-wide issues related to the United Nations development system. These evaluations provide input to system-wide policy and agenda-setting, as well as operational implementation and decision making. The programme of work in 2027 will include evaluations of: the UN development system's approach to key transitions for SDG acceleration, the Joint SDG Fund, UN development system engagement in Energy for SDG acceleration, with others to be selected from a multiyear Global System-Wide Evaluation Plan. SWEO also has a key role in generation system-wide evaluation evidence to enhance collective knowledge sharing and promote learning. This work includes the production of syntheses and summaries of evaluation evidence and of evidence maps. Further priorities include the preparation of system-wide evaluation guidance, systems development and communications. Further information is available in the 2026 Annual Report and on the United Nations website: https://www.un.org/system-wide-evaluation-office/en Purpose The System-Wide Evaluation Office is seeking applicants with an interest in the UN system, sustainable development, and evaluation who wish to gain professional experience in an international organization from January 2027 onwards for a period of 6 months (full time or part time). The internship provides practical educational experience working in an independent evaluation office in a multicultural and intergovernmental organization. Under the supervision of experienced Evaluation Officers, interns are assigned projects and tasks and provided with the opportunity to apply and further develop their theoretical knowledge and gain exposure to the work of the United Nations Secretariat. Interns report to full-time professional staff in the System-Wide Evaluation Office. Interns will be expected to provide support to the engagement of the System-Wide Evaluation Office in the 2027 Economic and Social Council Operational Activities Segment and the 2027 SDG Summit. Interns will assist with one or more of the following duties: Contribute to preparation of evaluation knowledge management products, evaluation communication and services (website, database, newsletter, web-enabled knowledge platforms, etc.); Preparation of presentations and other communication material, including drafting, formatting, editing, data visualization, graphics, photos, and videos. Following relevant UN developments through attending and documenting relevant events and preparing briefing material for the office. Assist evaluation teams in collecting, organizing and analysing qualitative and quantitative data. Support meetings, events, outreach and engagement through the preparation of background material. Drafting minutes of meetings and ensuring timely follow-up.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship by the United Nations Headquarters Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); Be enrolled in the FINAL academic year of a university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or Have graduated with a university degree as defined in (1) and (2). Preferably in the area of a degree programme in one of the social sciences, economics, or public administration (preferably with course work in evaluation and/or related applied research methodologies) in a graduate school (second university degree or higher); or if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree in one of the social sciences, economics, or public administration (preferably with course work in evaluation and/or related applied research methodologies). Competencies: Demonstrable interest in the UN system, sustainable development cooperation and/or monitoring and evaluation is required. Skills in quantitative data collection and analysis are desirable. Skills in qualitative data collection and analysis are desirable. Communications skills (e.g. report writing, graphics, presentations, and social media) are desirable. Prior experience of use of artificial intelligence and large language models is desirable. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required. Data analysis and visualization skills and proficiency of related software applications (e.g. Microsoft Power BI, SharePoint, Tableau, Excel, Qlik, SQL, R, STATA, MaxQDA, NVivo, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop, Canva) are desirable. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing Shows willingness to acquire new knowledge Ability to work as a member of a team Ability to produce quality results in time Ability to work in a multicultural and multilingual environment

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian) is an advantage.

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.

INTERN - United Nations Sustainable Development Group System-Wide Evaluation Office