Application Guide

How to Apply for Intern, Economic Affairs (Trade 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 and the Pacific, uniquely positioned to influence trade policy across 53 member states and 9 associate members. Working here offers direct exposure to multilateral negotiations and sustainable development initiatives that shape regional economic integration, making it ideal for those passionate about policy impact at an intergovernmental level.

About This Role

This remote internship focuses on supporting trade policy research with an emphasis on digital trade, e-commerce, and sustainable development implications. You'll contribute to ESCAP's analytical work by drafting policy notes, managing trade datasets, and assisting with capacity-building events, directly impacting how member states approach inclusive trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific region.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning research on recent regional trade agreements, followed by cleaning trade data in Python for an upcoming report. In the afternoon, you could draft a policy note on e-commerce regulations and join a virtual planning meeting for an ESCAP webinar, assisting with participant coordination and presentation materials.

🚀 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

  • Holds an advanced economics degree with coursework in international trade theory, development economics, and econometrics/statistical programming
  • Has hands-on experience with trade data analysis using R or Python (e.g., UN Comtrade, WTO datasets) and can demonstrate web scraping or SQL skills for data collection
  • Can produce policy-oriented writing samples in academic English and has designed infographics or visual materials for technical audiences
  • Shows familiarity with contemporary trade issues like digital trade barriers, global value chains, or regional agreements (e.g., RCEP, CPTPP)

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

1

Quantify data analysis experience: specify datasets you've worked with (e.g., 'cleaned 10,000+ rows of UNCTAD trade data using Python pandas')

2

Submit a writing sample that mirrors ESCAP's style—a short policy brief on a topic like 'ASEAN e-commerce regulations and SME inclusion'

3

Highlight remote collaboration skills, as the role involves coordinating with teams across time zones for online events

4

Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description: 'trade policy research,' 'sustainable development implications,' 'database maintenance'

5

If you have coursework or projects on Asia-Pacific trade, emphasize them (e.g., 'analyzed tariff impacts on Southeast Asian supply chains')

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why you're drawn to ESCAP's mission of inclusive development in Asia-Pacific—reference a specific ESCAP publication or project (e.g., their Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report)", 'Detail a relevant technical skill, like using R for trade flow visualization or Python for scraping trade policy documents', 'Describe how your academic background (e.g., econometrics thesis on trade agreements) aligns with their focus on evidence-based policy', 'Mention any experience with virtual event logistics or training materials, as supporting online courses is a core responsibility']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review ESCAP's recent trade publications (e.g., Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report, policy briefs on digital trade)
  • → Explore their ongoing projects, like the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade (ARTNeT)
  • → Understand ESCAP's member states and regional priorities—note how they address issues like LDC integration or climate-smart trade
  • → Look into their event history (e.g., Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum) to grasp their capacity-building approach

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach analyzing the development impacts of a digital trade agreement in Southeast Asia?
2 Walk us through a time you managed a complex dataset—what tools did you use and what insights did you generate?
3 How do you stay updated on multilateral trade negotiations (e.g., WTO reforms) and regional trends in Asia-Pacific?
4 Describe how you'd design a one-page infographic explaining global value chain disruptions to policymakers
5 What challenges do you foresee in organizing a hybrid (online/onsite) training workshop on trade regulations?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting generic applications without mentioning ESCAP, Asia-Pacific context, or sustainable development angles
  • Overstating programming skills—be prepared for practical tests in R/Python for trade data tasks
  • Focusing solely on theoretical economics without showing policy application or communication skills (e.g., no writing/visual samples)

📅 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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