Application Guide

How to Apply for Economic Affairs Intern

at ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

🏢 About ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

ESCAP is the UN's regional development arm for Asia and the Pacific, uniquely positioned to influence economic policy across 53 member states. Working here offers direct exposure to multilateral diplomacy and the chance to contribute to sustainable development goals that impact over 4 billion people. The remote nature of this internship provides flexibility while maintaining connection to high-level UN economic work.

About This Role

This Economic Affairs Intern will support trade facilitation research and data analysis for Asia-Pacific development projects, directly contributing to policy briefs that inform regional economic decisions. The role offers hands-on experience with UN economic analysis methodologies while working on real-world issues like trade barriers and development challenges in the region.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning virtual meetings with ESCAP economists in Bangkok to discuss trade data collection, followed by independent analysis of customs clearance times across ASEAN countries using statistical software. The afternoon could include drafting sections of a policy brief on digital trade barriers and participating in a virtual workshop on trade facilitation measures for Pacific island nations.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Is Looking For

  • Currently pursuing or recently completed a master's degree in economics with coursework in international trade or development economics
  • Has practical experience with economic data tools like Stata, R, or Python for data visualization and analysis
  • Demonstrates understanding of Asia-Pacific economic issues through academic projects or previous research
  • Can provide writing samples showing ability to synthesize complex economic concepts for policy audiences

📝 Tips for Applying to ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

1

Highlight any experience with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 8 (decent work and economic growth) or Goal 17 (partnerships for the goals)

2

Include specific examples of data processing projects using Asia-Pacific economic datasets (World Bank, UNCTAD, or ESCAP's own statistics)

3

Mention any familiarity with ESCAP's flagship publications like the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific

4

Demonstrate understanding of trade facilitation concepts like the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement or digital trade issues in Asia-Pacific

5

Show how you've worked effectively in multicultural settings, particularly with Asia-Pacific regional perspectives

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Connect your academic background directly to ESCAP's work on trade facilitation and regional economic integration", 'Provide concrete examples of economic research or data analysis projects relevant to Asia-Pacific development', 'Demonstrate understanding of how UN economic analysis differs from academic or private sector approaches', "Explain how remote collaboration skills will help you contribute to ESCAP's distributed team environment"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review ESCAP's recent publications on trade facilitation, particularly the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report
  • → Study the structure of ESCAP's Trade, Investment and Innovation Division and its current projects
  • → Understand ESCAP's role in implementing the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade
  • → Research how ESCAP collaborates with other UN bodies like UNCTAD and WTO on trade issues

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach collecting and analyzing trade data for a specific Asia-Pacific subregion?
2 What are the main trade facilitation challenges facing developing countries in the Asia-Pacific today?
3 How have you previously balanced independent research work with collaborative team projects?
4 Can you walk us through your experience with economic data visualization tools?
5 What interests you specifically about ESCAP's approach to economic development versus other UN agencies?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting generic applications that don't reference ESCAP's specific mandate or Asia-Pacific focus
  • Overemphasizing macroeconomic theory without showing practical data analysis skills
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of how UN internships differ from corporate or academic research roles

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific!

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