Application Guide

How to Apply for Economic Affairs Intern - Transport Research and Policy

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-Pacific, uniquely positioned to influence sustainable development policies across 53 member states. Working here offers direct exposure to multilateral diplomacy and the chance to contribute to region-wide initiatives addressing climate change, inequality, and economic resilience.

About This Role

This internship focuses on researching sustainable transport policies and supporting the Transport and Communications Bulletin, directly contributing to ESCAP's mission of promoting low-carbon, inclusive transport systems in Asia-Pacific. You'll analyze data on emissions, mobility, and climate impacts to inform regional policy recommendations.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve analyzing transport emission data from Asian countries, drafting a section of a policy brief on electric mobility, and corresponding with authors for the Bulletin. You could also attend virtual meetings on regional transport initiatives and contribute to case studies on inclusive public transport.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

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

  • A graduate student in economics, transport, or environmental studies with coursework or projects on climate change, urban mobility, or emission reduction
  • Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data into clear reports or policy briefs, ideally with examples from academic or volunteer work
  • Strong editorial skills with experience reviewing or drafting research articles, particularly on sustainability topics
  • Familiarity with Asia-Pacific development challenges and an interest in multilateral policy advocacy

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

1

Highlight any experience with UN-style reports or policy documents, even from class assignments, to show you understand their formal tone and structure

2

Mention specific data sources you've used (e.g., World Bank databases, academic journals) and analytical tools (Excel, R, GIS) relevant to transport research

3

Reference ESCAP's recent publications like the 'Asia-Pacific Sustainable Transport Outlook' to show you've studied their work

4

If you have language skills from the Asia-Pacific region, include them—ESCAP values regional connectivity

5

Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'resilient transport systems,' 'electric mobility,' and 'editorial support'

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why you're passionate about sustainable transport in Asia-Pacific, citing a specific challenge (e.g., urban air pollution, rural access) and how ESCAP addresses it", 'Provide a concise example of a research project where you collected and analyzed data on environmental or social topics', 'Describe any editorial or publication experience, even if it was assisting a professor or contributing to a university journal', "Connect your academic background to ESCAP's work, e.g., how your economics training applies to transport policy cost-benefit analysis"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review ESCAP's Transport Division webpage and recent bulletins to understand their current projects and regional focus areas
  • → Study the UN Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG 9 and 11) and how ESCAP aligns transport work with them
  • → Look into Asia-Pacific transport challenges like rapid urbanization, maritime logistics, or cross-border infrastructure
  • → Familiarize yourself with key ESCAP member states' transport policies (e.g., Japan's high-speed rail, Thailand's EV plans)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Discuss a recent transport policy trend in Asia-Pacific (e.g., EV adoption in China, public transport reforms in India) and its environmental impacts
2 How would you approach collecting data on transport emissions for a country with limited statistics?
3 Describe your process for editing a technical article to make it accessible to policymakers
4 What role can multilateral organizations like ESCAP play in advancing sustainable transport, compared to national governments?
5 Share an example of a time you analyzed data to draw policy-relevant conclusions
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning ESCAP, the UN, or Asia-Pacific context
  • Overemphasizing technical skills without showing how they apply to policy or sustainable development
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of research or analytical work, especially related to environmental or social dimensions

📅 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!

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

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