Application Guide
How to Apply for Environment 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 drive sustainable development across 53 member states. Working here offers direct exposure to high-level policy discussions and the chance to contribute to climate action at a regional scale, with a focus on data-driven solutions for environmental challenges.
About This Role
This Environment Affairs Intern supports ESCAP's climate work by transforming complex GHG projections into accessible visuals and research for policy briefs and conferences. You'll directly contribute to knowledge products that inform regional climate policy, making technical data actionable for policymakers and stakeholders.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve analyzing GHG data sets in the morning to draft visuals for an upcoming policy brief, followed by a virtual team meeting on MS Teams to coordinate conference side events. In the afternoon, you could research climate trends for Asia-Pacific countries and refine infographics for ESCAP's outreach materials, all while collaborating remotely with supervisors across time zones.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Is Looking For
- A graduate student or recent master's/PhD graduate in environmental science, climate policy, or data visualization, with coursework or projects involving GHG data analysis.
- Proficient in MS Office and Teams, plus experience with design software like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau) for creating infographics and posters.
- Strong English writing skills, demonstrated through academic papers, reports, or outreach materials that explain technical concepts clearly.
- Interest in Asia-Pacific climate issues, with awareness of regional frameworks like the Paris Agreement or ESCAP's initiatives such as the Low Carbon Green Growth Roadmap.
📝 Tips for Applying to ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Highlight any experience with GHG data or climate scenarios—even from academic projects—and specify the tools used (e.g., Excel for analysis, design software for visuals).
Mention familiarity with UN or multilateral processes, such as conference side events or policy brief development, to show understanding of ESCAP's working style.
Include a portfolio link or attach samples of infographics, posters, or research summaries you've created, tailored to environmental topics.
Emphasize remote collaboration skills, like using MS Teams for virtual meetings or coordinating on shared documents, given the remote contract nature.
Reference ESCAP's recent publications, such as the 'Asia-Pacific Disaster Report' or climate policy briefs, to show you've researched their specific outputs.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain how your academic background (e.g., master's thesis on climate data) aligns with ESCAP's focus on GHG projections and policy support for Asia-Pacific.", "Provide a brief example of a past project where you developed infographics or outreach materials for environmental topics, linking it to the role's responsibilities.", "Express interest in ESCAP's regional approach, such as their work on sustainable transport or energy transition in Asia-Pacific, and how you can contribute.", 'Note your proficiency in required software (MS Word, PowerPoint, Teams) and any design tools, emphasizing practical application to tasks like conference materials.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review ESCAP's 'Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report' and climate-related sections to understand their current priorities and data sources.
- → Explore ESCAP's past conferences or side events on environmental issues, noting their structure and outreach materials to tailor your application.
- → Look into the UN's internship policies and ESCAP's remote work guidelines to demonstrate awareness of operational expectations.
- → Study Asia-Pacific climate challenges, such as urban air quality or renewable energy adoption, to show regional knowledge during interviews.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without mentioning ESCAP's name or regional focus—this role requires awareness of Asia-Pacific environmental contexts.
- Overlooking the design software requirement—failing to highlight relevant skills in infographics or posters, even if basic, can weaken your candidacy.
- Not providing concrete examples of communication skills—vague claims about 'good English' without proof from writing samples or past projects.
📅 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!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific!