Application Guide

How to Apply for Intern, Social Sciences (Disability Inclusion)

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 address regional challenges through policy research and technical cooperation. Working here offers direct exposure to UN mechanisms and the opportunity to contribute to inclusive development across 53 member states, making it ideal for those passionate about international social justice.

About This Role

This internship focuses on disability inclusion research and project support, specifically analyzing economic participation, digital inclusion, and assistive technology. You'll contribute directly to ESCAP's disability-inclusive development agenda by preparing background papers, data visualizations, and supporting technical cooperation projects that influence regional policies.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve analyzing disability employment data from Pacific island nations in the morning, then preparing slides for an internal briefing on digital accessibility barriers. In the afternoon, you could be drafting meeting notes for a virtual consultation with disability organizations and updating project tracking sheets for technical cooperation activities.

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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 enrolled in or recently completed a graduate program in social sciences, disability studies, development economics, or related fields with coursework/research on disability issues
  • Has practical experience with data analysis tools (beyond basic Microsoft Office) and can demonstrate ability to translate research into visual presentations or policy briefs
  • Shows specific knowledge of UN frameworks like the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Has previous involvement in disability advocacy, inclusive development projects, or research on marginalized groups in Asia-Pacific contexts

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

1

Highlight any experience with disability-related data sets (e.g., WHO Global Disability Data Portal, national disability surveys) or analysis of inclusion metrics

2

Mention specific ESCAP disability initiatives you're familiar with, such as the 'Disability-Inclusive Business' toolkit or 'Asia-Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities'

3

Demonstrate understanding of regional disability contexts by referencing specific countries' inclusion challenges in Asia-Pacific

4

Include examples of administrative support for virtual meetings or remote project coordination, given the remote nature of the role

5

Show how your academic work aligns with ESCAP's thematic priorities like digital inclusion or women/girls with disabilities

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific interest in disability inclusion within Asia-Pacific development contexts, not just general UN interest', 'Concrete research or project experience related to at least two of the listed areas (economic participation, digital inclusion, assistive technology, etc.)', 'How your skills can support both substantive research AND administrative project implementation simultaneously', "Understanding of ESCAP's role as a regional commission and how this differs from other UN agencies"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → ESCAP's 'Disability at a Glance' reports and their specific findings on Asia-Pacific countries
  • → The Commission's recent resolutions on disability-inclusive development (e.g., ESCAP resolution 78/9)
  • → ESCAP's partnerships with organizations like ASEAN, APCD, or specific disability rights organizations in the region
  • → How ESCAP's disability work intersects with other thematic areas like gender equality, digital transformation, or social protection

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach researching digital inclusion barriers for persons with disabilities in a specific Asia-Pacific subregion?
2 Describe a time you had to present complex disability data to non-technical stakeholders
3 What do you see as the biggest challenges in implementing disability-inclusive employment policies in the region?
4 How would you support organizing a virtual multi-stakeholder meeting on assistive technology?
5 Which ESCAP disability inclusion outputs have you reviewed, and what gaps or opportunities do you see?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic UN enthusiasm without demonstrating specific knowledge of ESCAP's regional mandate or disability portfolio
  • Focusing only on research skills while neglecting the administrative and project support aspects of the role
  • Treating disability inclusion as a general social justice issue without showing understanding of technical aspects like CRPD implementation or disability data disaggregation

📅 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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