Application Guide

How to Apply for Information Management/Library 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, working on economic, social, and environmental issues across 53 member states. This internship offers unique exposure to international policy-making and knowledge management within a UN context, providing hands-on experience with UN documentation systems and regional development resources.

About This Role

This remote Information Management/Library Intern will support ESCAP's knowledge infrastructure by assisting with document retention policies, digital asset management, and library services. The role directly contributes to making UN resources more accessible and visible across the Asia-Pacific region, impacting how development knowledge is organized and disseminated.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing document retention schedules for ESCAP publications, assisting with metadata tagging for digital assets in the UN's systems, and creating promotional materials about library resources for regional stakeholders. You'd likely participate in virtual meetings about knowledge management initiatives and respond to reference inquiries from ESCAP staff across the Asia-Pacific region.

🚀 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

  • Currently pursuing or recently completed a graduate degree in library science, information management, archival studies, or related field with administrative coursework
  • Demonstrates practical experience with document management systems, metadata standards, or digital preservation tools beyond basic MS Office skills
  • Shows genuine interest in UN documentation, international development resources, or Asia-Pacific regional issues
  • Possesses strong organizational skills with attention to detail for tasks like weeding collections and managing digital assets

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

1

Highlight any experience with UN document classification systems (such as UNBIS Thesaurus) or international organization documentation

2

Mention specific digital asset management platforms or library systems you've used (e.g., DSpace, Koha, SharePoint) rather than just listing MS Office

3

Demonstrate understanding of ESCAP's work by referencing specific publications or priority areas from their website

4

If you have language skills beyond English, specify how they relate to ESCAP's working languages (French, Russian, Chinese, etc.)

5

Include examples of creating publicity materials or raising visibility of resources in academic or professional settings

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why you're specifically interested in UN knowledge management versus corporate/library settings", "Connect your academic background to ESCAP's thematic areas (sustainable development, statistics, trade, etc.)", "Provide concrete examples of how you've organized information or managed collections in previous roles", "Demonstrate understanding of how proper information management supports ESCAP's mission of regional development"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore ESCAP's publication database and identify 2-3 key report series or statistical products
  • → Review ESCAP's subregional offices and thematic priorities (environment, trade, statistics, etc.)
  • → Study the UN's document symbol system and how ESCAP documents are classified
  • → Look into ESCAP's knowledge management initiatives or previous library projects mentioned in annual reports

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach weeding a collection of UN documents while ensuring important historical materials are preserved?
2 What strategies would you use to increase visibility of ESCAP's digital resources among member states?
3 Describe your experience with metadata standards relevant to library or archival collections
4 How would you handle reference requests for specialized UN documents or statistical data?
5 What interests you about working in a remote international organization versus a physical library setting?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic library experience without connecting it to UN/international organization contexts
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of how remote work affects library/information management tasks
  • Overemphasizing customer service aspects without addressing the technical/document management components

📅 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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