Work Location

UNHQ

Expected duration

2-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is located in the Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). DISD works to strengthen international cooperation for inclusive social development, including poverty eradication, productive employment and decent work, social protection, and the promotion of inclusive economic and social systems. The intern will support work related to cooperative development and the follow-up to the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, contributing to research, outreach, and communications activities that highlight the role of cooperatives in advancing sustainable and inclusive development. The intern will work under the supervision of the Global Dialogue for Social Development Branch (GDSDB) Social Affairs Officer, in close coordination with DISD staff working on cooperative development initiatives.

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 bachelors degree or equivalent). Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Masters or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelors, Masters 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

The intern will contribute to:

• Successful preparation and communication of key cooperative-related events in 2026
• Increased visibility of cooperative development initiatives through digital and outreach activities
• Research inputs supporting the evaluation of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025
• Strengthened engagement with stakeholders and partners working on cooperative development. The interns work will contribute to strengthening the visibility of cooperatives as drivers of inclusive development and to advancing DISDs efforts to promote cooperative development within the broader framework of sustainable and people-centred development. The activities will also support the follow-up to the Second World Social Summit and the implementation of the Doha Political Declaration, which recognizes the importance of inclusive economic institutions, including cooperatives and social and solidarity economy entities, in promoting decent work, reducing inequalities, and advancing inclusive and sustainable development

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.