Work Location

United Nations Headquarters, New York; The hybrid or remote setting of the internship may be considered based on the request by the successful candidates.

Expected duration

2-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) / Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) seeks to provide leadership and catalyze action in promoting and coordinating implementation of internationally agreed development goals, including the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The intern will have the opportunity of learning and working in a very dynamic environment, targeting different aspects of SDG implementation and where new approaches and methodologies are being implemented and tested daily. The intern will be able to contribute to in person and virtual activities, including intergovernmental Conferences and meetings, capacity building events, webinars consultations and online trainings. The intern will also engage collaboratively in research and analysis as well as in drafting and reviewing documents on several topics as well as engage with stakeholders from different sectors and parts of the world. The candidate will have the opportunity for a hands-on experience, being an integral part of the Team and working collaborative in several workstreams. The person will be exposed to real-time dynamics, negotiations, projects and activities. The candidate will gain experience in the organization of United Nations Conferences and intergovernmental events and will strengthen organizational and political skills. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

Supporting in drafting concept notes for events targeting the mobilization of stakeholders from different sectors towards their engagement on the SDGs.
Contribute to the implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies and plans, including compiling and summarizing inputs from online consultations, drafting reports and outreach materials.
Engage collaboratively in research and analysis as well as in drafting and reviewing documents on several topics as well as engage with stakeholders from different sectors and parts of the world.
Assist with the organization of in person, virtual and hybrid events and training sessions, including by supporting with the preparation of agendas, co-drafting background materials, and meeting reports, providing technical support to events, monitoring and managing live substantive exchange, drafting public information materials, supporting outreach, including social media, preparing summaries, reviewing participants lists and preparing documents to be posted online.
Contribute to the review of SDG Partnerships and follow up on their implementation, including analysis and research.
Supporting the research for the preparation of papers and reports related to the SDGs, including in connection with international Conferences (such as the 2026 UN Water Conference) and intergovernmental meetings (for instance, the High-Level Political Forum, the ECOSOC Partnership Forum, the Science, Technology and Innovation Forum and others).
Support stakeholder engagement in intergovernmental events and Conferences, including high-level special events and side-events selection and management.
Attend intergovernmental meetings, expert events and webinars and prepare summaries.
Provision of general office support (e.g. processing correspondence; maintaining online files and records in Sharepoint; taking meeting minutes for events; etc.).
Supporting staff with outreach engagement, including communications and social media.
Participating in person and virtual UN Headquarters events, as appropriate.
Providing support to staff with website content updates.
Other ad hoc related activities to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Qualifications/special skills

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).

Be computer literate in standard software applications. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme. Knowledge of issues in the context of sustainable development, would be an advantage. 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.

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.

Additional Information

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include:

Degree Programme (What are you currently studying?)
Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?)
List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
List your top three areas of interest.
Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship.
Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme. In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references. Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

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.

Internship for Sustainable Development Goals Outreach and Partnerships