Application Guide
How to Apply for Economic Affairs Intern
at DESA - UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
🏢 About DESA - UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
DESA is the UN's central hub for economic and social policy analysis, producing flagship reports like the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) that inform global decision-making. Working here means contributing directly to international development agendas and seeing your research influence real-world policy discussions. The remote, full-time internship offers a rare chance to collaborate with leading economists and policy experts from anywhere in the US.
About This Role
As an Economic Affairs Intern, you'll dive into macroeconomic research, data analysis, and modelling to support the WESP report—a key UN publication forecasting global economic trends. You'll also help organize policy seminars and expert group meetings, gaining hands-on experience in the intersection of research and international diplomacy. This role is ideal for quantitatively skilled students passionate about sustainable development and multilateral cooperation.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve extracting and cleaning macroeconomic data from UN databases, running regressions in Stata to update forecast models, and drafting a section of a policy brief. You could also attend a virtual team meeting to plan an upcoming expert group meeting, then spend the afternoon preparing background materials and summarizing key points for senior economists. Expect a mix of independent analytical work and collaborative virtual coordination.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who DESA - UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs Is Looking For
- Currently in the final year of a Bachelor's degree or enrolled in a Master's/Ph.D. program in economics, development studies, or a related field.
- Proficient in Stata, Eviews, or R for econometric analysis and data visualization, with experience handling large macroeconomic datasets.
- Familiar with UN sustainable development frameworks and macroeconomic policy debates, ideally through coursework or prior internships.
- Strong written and verbal English skills, with the ability to draft clear summaries and communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.
📝 Tips for Applying to DESA - UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Tailor your CV to highlight any experience with macroeconomic modelling, forecasting, or data analysis using Stata, Eviews, or R—quantify results where possible (e.g., 'analyzed 20+ years of GDP data to identify trends').
In your cover letter, explicitly reference the World Economic Situation and Prospects report and explain how your skills can contribute to its 2027 edition, showing you understand DESA's flagship output.
Demonstrate familiarity with UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) by linking your research interests to specific SDGs relevant to macroeconomic policy, such as SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) or SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Leverage the remote nature of the internship by emphasizing your self-discipline, virtual collaboration skills, and ability to work independently across time zones.
Apply early and ensure your UN Inspira profile is fully complete, as DESA receives hundreds of applications and incomplete profiles may be screened out automatically.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
1. Your quantitative toolkit: Detail specific projects where you used Stata, Eviews, or R for macroeconomic analysis, and mention any experience with modelling or data visualization. 2. Alignment with DESA's mission: Explain why UN economic policy work excites you, citing recent WESP findings or DESA initiatives. 3. Your research and writing skills: Provide examples of policy briefs, reports, or seminar summaries you've drafted, emphasizing clarity and analytical rigor. 4. Availability and commitment: Confirm you can start in October 2026 for 2–6 months full-time, and express eagerness to contribute remotely.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read the latest World Economic Situation and Prospects report to understand its structure, key messages, and data sources—be ready to discuss recent findings.
- → Explore DESA's divisions, especially the Economic Analysis and Policy Division, and familiarize yourself with their ongoing projects beyond WESP.
- → Review the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on those most linked to macroeconomic policy (e.g., SDG 8, 10, 17).
- → Check recent UN policy briefs or statements on global economic trends to grasp current priorities and terminology.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention WESP or DESA's specific work—this role requires demonstrated interest in UN economic policy.
- Overstating technical skills: if you list Stata, Eviews, or R, be prepared to discuss your proficiency in detail; gaps will be exposed in interviews.
- Ignoring the remote aspect: failing to show how you'll stay engaged and productive without in-person supervision could raise doubts about your suitability.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
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Good luck with your application to DESA - UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs!