Categories: Vacancies, April 2026

Intern – Macroeconomics and Governance Division

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Department/Office : Economic Commission for Africa

Deadline: Dec 07, 2024

Job Description

Work Location

Addis Ababa

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are: (1) advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solutions to the continent; (2) developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; (3) designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; (4) contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; and (5) advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

The position is in the Macroeconomic, Finance and Governance Division (MFGD) of the ECA. MFGD is headed by a Director and reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). The Division is responsible for supporting African member States in their efforts to accelerate economic transformation and inclusive growth through effective development planning, improved macroeconomic management and economic governance as well as better mobilization and allocation of domestic and international finance.

It is divided into four sections: Macroeconomic Analysis; Development Planning; Economic Governance and Public Finance; and the Finance and Resource Mobilization Section. The internship position is in the Development Planning Section (DPS) of the MFGD in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The intern works under the direct supervision of the Section Chief of the DPS and relevant responsible officers and under the overall guidance of the Director of the MFGD. For more information, do visit our website at www.uneca.org. The internship is FULL-TIME, UNPAID and for 6 months. Interns are expected to work five days per week (35 hours) under the direct supervision of a staff member in DPS to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities Under the general guidance of the Chief of the Development Planning Section and the direct supervision of a relevant responsible officer, the intern will make an important contribution to the work of the Section. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, skills, division / section priorities, as well as the internship period.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

 Researching and analyzing topics relating to sustainable economic development, development planning, governance, and poverty reduction in Africa.

 Providing inputs to and editing publications, papers and other documents.

 Liaising with MFGD stakeholders.

 Supporting the organization of meetings and events.

 Assisting with outreach activities.

 Participating in day-to-day operational tasks of the Division. This may include responding to requests for information, developing presentations, liaising with partner organizations, etc.

 Performing administrative tasks as assigned.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (i.e. second-level university degree or equivalent, or higher); or b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (i.e. at the bachelor’s level or equivalent).

Notably:

 Applicants who have graduated (as defined in a) or b) above), if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.  Applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications.

The intern is expected to:  Have demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter; and  Have demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. However, your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.

Applicants must be enrolled in Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Teams.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the Internship Programme, fluency in spoken and written English is required.
Working knowledge of French is an advantage.

Additional Information

Assessment Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration. Due to the large number of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.
Special Notice A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:

 Your Degree Programme i.e. what are you currently studying?

 Your Graduation Date i.e. when will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?

 A list of the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.  A list of your top three areas of interest.

 An explanation of why you are the best candidate for this specific internship.

 An explanation of why you are interested in the United Nations Internship Programme. In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences (if you have), IT skills and three references.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization.
Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.