Categories: Vacancies, June 2026

Intern – Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance Division

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Department/Office: Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

Deadline: May 14, 2025

Job Description

Work Location

Addis Ababa

Expected duration

3-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s (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 is guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are 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; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace, security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

The Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance Division (MFGD) is headed by a Director and reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programmes). The Division is responsible for supporting 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 public finance.

It is divided into four main sections:

Macroeconomic Analysis; Development Planning; Finance and Domestic Resource Mobilization; and Economic Governance and Public Finance. The Internship Program is located in the MFGD of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The intern/s will be working under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director of MFGD and the direct supervision of the Chief of Macroeconomic Analysis Section (MAS) and the responsible officers. His/her main responsibility will be analysis for the macroeconomic chapter for the Economic Report on Africa, and in particular to analyze sources of growth in Africa and growth forecasts under various scenarios. For more information, please visit our website: www.uneca.org.

The internship is for 3 months with an opportunity for extension, depending on the needs of the Section. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the direct supervision of the Chief in the Section to which they are assigned. Responsibilities Under the general guidance of the Chief of the Macroeconomic Analysis Section and the direct supervision of the responsible officer, the intern will make an important contribution to the work of the Section. Daily responsibilities will depend on individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period.

Duties may include but are not limited to

• Research and analysis of topics relating to sources of economic growth, labor markets and demographic trends in Africa.

• Provide inputs to the section and edit flagship publications.

• Liaise with MFGD stakeholders.

• Assist with outreach activities.

• Participate in day-to-day operational tasks of the Division. This may include reporting on key meetings, and developing presentations, etc.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must, at the time of application, be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (i.e. second-level university degree or equivalent, or higher). Notably:
□ Applicants who have graduated (as defined 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.
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 PHD. 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 the French language 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.