UNCTAD Internship in the Division on International Trade and Commodities

The internship position is located in UNCTAD within the Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch. The internship is unpaid, full-time, and can be in-person, remote, or hybrid. Duties include scientific, policy and data analysis, meeting and communications support, and technical cooperation/capacity building related to circular economy and trade.

Responsibilities

• Research and summarise scientific, technical and policy evidence on circular economy and trade, including sustainable materials, chemicals, plastics, waste and life cycle or alternatives assessments.
• Compile, clean and analyse quantitative data using Python or R, including trade, non-tariff measure, materials and environmental data, and document methods so the analysis can be reproduced.
• Support analysis of selected materials, chemicals and plastics of concern in traded products and value chains, including regulatory listings, hazards, alternatives, substitution, recycled content and waste streams.
• Provide analytical and data inputs on standards, traceability, market access and other trade conditions affecting developing-country producers and circular value chains.
• Prepare concise briefing notes, presentations, speeches and interventions translating technical evidence into clear messages for non-specialist audiences.
• Use digital and AI-assisted tools where appropriate to support research, data handling, drafting and quality control, with substantive outputs verified against authoritative sources.
• Support preparations for Circular Economy Programme events, briefings and training, including stakeholder coordination, materials and follow-up.
• Follow relevant UNCTAD and intergovernmental processes on circular economy and plastics and chemical pollution, and prepare concise meeting notes, summaries and related materials.
• Help translate complex scientific, technical and policy content into accessible language in news items and other communication and outreach materials for diverse stakeholder groups.
• Compile and analyse scientific, regulatory, trade and environmental evidence for technical cooperation proposals, reports and resource mobilisation activities.
• Support the consolidation of SMEP evidence and the preparation of concept notes, results frameworks, training materials and other inputs for possible successor work.
• Perform other related duties as required for the delivery of the workplan of the Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch of DITC.
• Undertake on-the-job and other training activities (if available during the internship).
• Observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions, procedures and directives of the Organization.
• Provide the receiving departments/offices with a copy of all materials prepared during the internship.
• Respect the impartiality and independence required of the UN and the receiving department/office.
• Do not communicate any non-public information without authorization.
• Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the UN or the receiving department/office and avoid incompatible activities.

Requirements

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent).
• University degree must be in natural sciences or engineering relevant to materials, chemicals, pollution or circular economy or related field.
• No working experience is required for this internship.
• Demonstrated experience using Python or R for scientific data handling and environmental modeling.
• Ability to read, interpret and summarise scientific and technical literature, including life cycle, hazard or alternatives assessments.
• Ability to explain technical findings clearly and effectively to non-specialist audiences.
• Strong analytical writing skills in English.
• Fluency oral and written in English is required.
• Knowledge of French, Spanish, Chinese is an advantage.
• Computer literate in standard software applications.
• Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, including willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Skills

• Python Programming
• R Programming
• Scientific data handling
• Environmental Modeling
• Life Cycle Assessment LCA
• Hazard Assessment
• Alternatives assessment
• Technical literature interpretation
• Analytical Writing
• Scientific Communication
• Policy Analysis
• Data Analysis
• Standard Software Applications
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Trade and environment knowledge
• Circular economy understanding

Languages

English, French, Spanish, Chinese