2026 Internship opportunities at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in LDCs Section | Kickstart your career by Applying before 25 January

UNCTAD Economic Affairs Internship 2026 | Apply by 25 January 2026

This position is located in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Section of the Policy Analysis and Research Branch within the Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes (ALDC). The internship offers an opportunity to work on issues concerning LDC development trends, international trade, and graduation policies.

Under the supervision of the Economic Affairs Officer, the intern will perform the following functions:

• Research & Analysis: Assist in carrying out desk research on LDC graduation, impacts, and vulnerabilities; synthesize findings and draft inputs for division publications.
• Statistical Work: Assist in performing statistical and econometric analyses using international datasets (UNCTADstat, World Development Indicators, IDS).
• Documentation: Prepare literature reviews, analyze macroeconomic trends, and provide inputs for speeches and PowerPoint presentations.
• Policy Support: Assist in the formulation of policy conclusions deriving from analytical research.
• Meetings: Participate in online meetings with the supervisor and team, as well as relevant training workshops.

• Academic Enrollment: Applicants must meet one of the following:
  • Enrolled in or completed a graduate school programme (Second university degree/Master's or higher).
  • Enrolled in or completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (Bachelor's level or equivalent).
• Field of Study: Economics, Development Studies, or a related area.
• Experience: No professional work experience is required, but previous research/volunteer experience on sustainable development or LDCs is an advantage.

• Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Working knowledge of French is an advantage.
• Technical Skills:
  • Computer literate in standard software applications.
  • Familiarity with statistics and economic analysis software (R or Stata) is expected.
• Core Competencies: Keen interest in the UN's work, commitment to the Charter, and ability to interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.

• Remuneration: Interns are not financially remunerated. Costs for travel, visas, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern.
• Remote Requirements: Remote applicants must have a computer with a modern browser, Office 365, and basic IT security (firewall, antivirus, password manager).
• Visa: For in-person internships, a valid visa is required.

The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, or training).

• Date Posted: 12 January 2026
• Application Deadline: 25 January 2026
• Tentative Start Date: 16 February 2026

• Submit a complete online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) via the official link.
• Cover Note must include:
  • Title of degree and graduation date.
  • List of IT skills and programs proficient in.
  • Explanation of why you are the best candidate.
• Personal History Profile (PHP): Include all past work/volunteer experience and three references.

• Apply Online: Click Here to Apply
• UN Careers Home: careers.un.org

• Is this internship paid? No, it is unpaid.
• Can I work remotely? Yes, the internship is offered on either an in-person or remote basis.
• What software skills are needed? Proficiency in R or Stata is specifically mentioned as a requirement/expectation.
• Is French required? No, English is required, but French is an advantage.
• What is the duration? Initially 3 months, with a possibility of extension up to 6 months.