Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Intern

Duty station: 🇺🇸 New York, United States
Country / area: United States
Region: Americas
UN system: Secretariat
Level: I-1
Category: Internship
Job family: Social Affairs
Posted: Jun 01, 2026
Closes: Jun 15, 2026 in 10 days Source: 23:59, Jun 14, 2026 America/New_York

About this role

This internship is with the Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) at the UN Headquarters. The intern will support the Indigenous Peoples Development Branch - Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (IPDB-SPFII). Key responsibilities include contributing to the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples event, preparing inputs for Expert Group Meetings, developing key messages for social media, and updating website content on Indigenous Peoples. The role requires a student in their final year of a first university degree (bachelor's or equivalent), Master's, or Ph.D. program, or someone who has completed such a program. A field of study closely related to social development, indigenous issues, or related areas is required.

Key requirements

Enrolled in final year of first university degree or completed
Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. degree
Fluency in English

Nice to have

Knowledge of additional UN language
Field of study related to social development or indigenous issues

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Requirements at a glance

Distilled by AI from the posting

Min. experience: 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.
Required degree: Applicants must be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent).
Languages: English

Work Location

UNHQ

Expected duration

2-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is in the Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Division seeks to strengthen international cooperation for social development, particularly in the areas of poverty eradication, productive employment and decent work, as well as the social inclusion of older persons, youth, family, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and persons marginalized from society and development. The intern will work under the supervision of and report to the Social Affairs Officer in the Indigenous Peoples Development Branch – Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (IPDB-SPFII).

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). Required and Desirable Work Experience 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. 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.

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

1. Successful delivery of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples event; 2. Preparation of inputs to the Expert Group Meeting; 3. Key messages promoted through social media; 4. Website content on Indigenous Peoples updated. The intern will contribute to the International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Expert Group Meeting, and in preparation of other relevant meetings.

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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