Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Project Support Intern - United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD)

Duty station
Nagoya
UN system
Secretariat
Level
I-1
Category
Internship
Posted
Closes
in 14 days Source: 03:59, Jun 19, 2026 UTC (timezone not specified)

About this role

The United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) is seeking a Project Support Intern to work in its Environment Unit in Nagoya, Japan from July to December 2026 for a duration of 2-3 months. The intern will support the organization of regional forums on environmental issues, including the Regional EST Forum in Asia and the Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific. Responsibilities include updating invitee lists, preparing and dispatching invitations, compiling information from participating countries, assisting with research and data analysis for reports, and supporting presentation preparation. The role requires a strong academic background in environmental management, urban planning, waste management, or related fields, with proficiency in standard software applications and fluency in English. The internship is unpaid and the candidate must cover all travel, visa, and living expenses.

Key requirements

  • Enrolled in or completed graduate school programme OR final academic year of first university degree programme
  • Fluency in spoken and written English
  • Field of study related to environmental management, urban planning, or waste management

Nice to have

  • Knowledge of additional official UN language
  • Experience with 3R/circular economy
  • Experience with sustainable transport

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Requirements at a glance

Distilled by AI from the posting
Min. experience
Interns are not required to have professional work experience.
Required degree
Applicants must be enrolled in, or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher such as a Master’s degree or equivalent, Ph.D. or post graduate degree) OR be enrolled in, or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent).
Languages
English

Work Location

Nagoya, Japan

Expected duration

2-3 months during the period from July to December 2026. Kindly indicate the availability of the internship (2-3 months from July to December 2026) on the cover letter.

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) was established in 1971 based on the agreement between the UN and the Government of Japan dated 18 June 1971. UNCRD strives to promote sustainable regional development in developing countries with a focus on development planning and management in the context of globalization and decentralization trends, and the growing concern towards global environmental issues and their impacts. Sustainable Environment is one of the key elements for Sustainable Development. In line with the environment and development priorities and international commitments reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other international agendas and agreements, UNCRD's Environment Unit is currently focusing on three urban priorities - sustainable transport, 3R/circular economy, sustainable waste management, and biodiversity - that have significant impacts on the socioeconomic and bio-physical environment, and has been providing required technical assistance to developing countries at the local and national levels. The internship is located in the Environment Unit, UNCRD, Nagoya, Japan. Intern reports to the Environment Programme Coordinator of UNCRD. The intern will support the organization of the Regional EST Forum in Asia and the Regional 3R and Circular Economy in Asia and the Pacific by: - updating the list(s) of invitees - assisting in preparation and dispatch of invitations to participating countries and invitees - updating the list(s) of nominations to be received from participating countries - compiling the electronic information received from participating countries and experts so that they could be uploaded to UNCRD’s webpages Intern is also expected to support the research for the preparation of papers and reports related to the projects through collection of data from multiple resources, and assist in reviewing an analyzing data from multiple resources. She/he is expected to assist in preparation of UNCRD’s presentations to be made at the Forums.

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 such a Master’s degree or equivalent, Ph.D. or post graduate degree); (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. Interested candidates can pursue studies in the following fields – environmental management, urban planning, urban development, waste management or a related field. Applicants are encouraged to mention how their field of study relates to Sustainable Development (mainly in the areas of sustainable transport and circular economy & 3Rs). Be computer literate in standard software applications.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of additional official United Nations language is an asset.

Additional Information

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.

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