Application Guide
How to Apply for Intern - Statistical Analysis, Poverty Reduction, Inequality, Social Protection
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 sustainable development policies across 53 member states. Working here offers direct exposure to UN processes and the opportunity to contribute to region-wide initiatives addressing poverty, inequality, and social protection challenges.
About This Role
This internship involves hands-on statistical analysis using R and Excel to support research on poverty reduction, inequality, and social protection policies, with specific focus on vulnerable groups. You'll contribute to UN reports and help organize major events like the 9th Committee on Social Development, making tangible impacts on regional policy development.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start by cleaning poverty survey data in R for an upcoming report, then join a planning meeting for the Committee on Social Development. After lunch, you could draft social media content visualizing inequality trends, followed by supporting an expert group meeting on disability-inclusive social protection systems.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Is Looking For
- Has practical experience with R for statistical analysis and econometric modeling, not just coursework familiarity
- Demonstrates specific knowledge of Asia-Pacific poverty/inequality issues and social protection systems
- Can show examples of translating complex data into accessible reports or visualizations
- Is comfortable supporting both analytical work and event coordination in a UN environment
📝 Tips for Applying to ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Highlight specific R projects analyzing social/economic data (include GitHub links if possible)
Reference ESCAP's recent publications like the 'Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific' in your materials
Demonstrate understanding of vulnerable groups mentioned (persons with disabilities, migrants, etc.) in Asia-Pacific context
Show how you've supported event organization while maintaining analytical work
Tailor your application to ESCAP's specific mandate rather than generic UN internship advice
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Specific experience with R/Excel for poverty/inequality analysis (mention packages like ggplot2, dplyr, or econometric models)', 'Knowledge of Asia-Pacific social protection systems or vulnerable group challenges', 'Examples of translating statistical findings into policy-relevant insights', "Interest in ESCAP's specific work streams like the Committee on Social Development"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → ESCAP's Social Development Division publications and current projects
- → The 9th Committee on Social Development agenda and previous outcomes
- → Asia-Pacific specific poverty/inequality statistics from ESCAP databases
- → UN's disability inclusion strategy and how ESCAP implements it
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic UN internship applications without ESCAP-specific knowledge
- Listing R/Excel as skills without concrete project examples
- Focusing only on statistical analysis while ignoring event support responsibilities
- Not demonstrating specific interest in Asia-Pacific regional issues
📅 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!