Sustainable Development Intern USA (New York)
Organization: Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Location: New York, USA (Hybrid/Remote options available by agreement) Duration: 2-6 months Grade: I-1 (Intern) Are you passionate about global progress and specifically looking for an impactful Sustainable Development Intern USA opportunity? The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) is actively recruiting an Intern for its Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development (OISC) in New York City, USA. Importantly, this is a full-time, unpaid internship. Significantly, it directly targets the US environmental sector.
About DESA OISC: First and foremost, DESA plays a vital role in coordinating international sustainable development efforts. The OISC, in particular, focuses on supporting intergovernmental processes and coordination. You can learn more about our office here: http://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/content/office-intergovernmental-support-andcoordinationsustainabledevelopment. Consequently, joining our team means you directly contribute to the United Nations’ mission.
Your Role as a Sustainable Development Intern in the USA
As a Sustainable Development Intern USA, you’ll work five days per week (35 hours). A staff member will typically supervise you. However, you can work part-time under a Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA) or even fully remotely if mutually agreed upon and if office needs allow. Your daily responsibilities will naturally vary, depending on your background, assigned office, and the internship period.
This sustainable development internship offers diverse duties, including:
Key Duties for Your Internship
-
Research & Analysis: To begin, you’ll help prepare important documents. Furthermore, you’ll conduct various research and analysis in policy areas directly linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
-
Conference & Meeting Support: Next, you’ll assist in preparing for major international conferences and meetings. The Division supports these, and they relate to the UN Economic and Social Council’s work. For instance, examples include the 2025 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and the 80th Session of the General Assembly. You’ll also help with preparatory processes for its Second and Third Committees.
-
Documentation & Communication: Additionally, you’ll help draft official documents. You’ll also attend and summarize conferences and meetings. Moreover, you’ll do research using documents, legal resources, and the internet. Furthermore, you’ll contribute to speechwriting.
-
Data Management: Moreover, you’ll analyze different qualitative or quantitative sustainable development data. Subsequently, you’ll prepare related data visualizations.
-
Information Systems: Finally, you’ll assist with crucial information and database management tasks.
Sustainable Development Intern
Qualifications and Important Information for US Applicants
Qualifications for this UN Sustainable Development Internship:
You must meet one of these requirements:
-
Graduate Program: You are currently enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); OR
-
Final Year Undergraduate: You are enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); OR
-
Recent Graduate: In certain cases, applicants within a few years of graduation may apply if they couldn’t apply earlier. This specifically includes those at an early career stage, entering the workforce for the first time, changing careers, or due to compelling family reasons.
Furthermore, you must be computer literate in standard software applications. Knowing about sustainable development issues is a significant advantage. Importantly, no professional work experience is required for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advanced coursework, or skills should clearly benefit the UN during your internship. An interest in UN work is a must. Being able to work in a diverse international environment is a good trait. Finally, a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is also highly desirable.
Important Notes for US Applicants:
-
Unpaid: This internship is unpaid. Consequently, interns cover all their own travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses in the USA.
-
Visa/Work Authorization: Moreover, non-US citizens or permanent residents may need specific visas or work authorization. Therefore, you should definitely discuss these requirements before accepting the offer.
-
No Fees: Finally, please note that the United Nations never charges a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. This includes applications, interviews, processing, or training. The UN does not ask for applicants’ bank account information. Notably, this policy applies to all Sustainable Development Intern USA applications.
Apply now: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1752564799230
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: What is the primary focus of this Sustainable Development Intern USA role? A1: Primarily, this internship, a UN Sustainable Development Internship NYC, supports DESA’s office. You’ll help with research, documents, and conference preparation related to the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
Q2: Is this a paid internship, and what are the financial responsibilities? A2: No, it’s unpaid. Consequently, interns are fully responsible for all their costs, including travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses in the USA.
Q3: Can this internship be done remotely? A3: Yes, it’s mostly in-person, but it can be fully remote or part-time. This depends on agreement with the Office and their specific needs.
Q4: What academic background is required for this Sustainable Development Intern USA position? A4: Specifically, you must be a graduate student (or completed), a final-year bachelor’s student, or, in certain cases, a recent graduate. Your field of study should definitely relate to sustainable development.
Q5: What kind of practical experience will I gain from this UN Sustainable Development Internship? A5: Broadly speaking, you’ll gain hands-on experience in policy research, drafting official documents, supporting major UN conferences (like HLPF), data analysis, and information management. All of this happens within the sphere of global sustainable development efforts.
You might also be interested in:
Public Information Intern (Hybrid/Remote) – United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, USA
Remote Medical Policy Coordinator (Part-Time, Summer Intern) – USA
Remote Global Engagement & Marketing Intern, USA | AIFS Abroad