UN ESCAP Job 2026: Social Development & Sustainable Demographic Transition

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is offering an exciting internship opportunity in Bangkok within the Social Development Division, specifically in the Sustainable Demographic Transition Section (SDTS). This internship allows students to gain hands-on experience in population and development policy, sustainable demographic change, youth engagement, and international migration issues.

 Internship Overview

• Duration: 3–6 months
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand
• Type: Full-time, UNPAID
• Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday–Friday)

The Social Development Division includes three sections:

1. Sustainable Demographic Transition Section (SDTS) – Focuses on population trends, ageing, youth, and international migration.
2. Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation Section (SETS) – Covers inequality, social protection, and development policies.
3. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section (GESIS) – Focuses on gender equality, disability, and social inclusion.

Interns will work under the supervision of the Chief of the SDTS Section and other professional staff, gaining exposure to policy formulation and program implementation in Asia-Pacific countries.

 Key Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will vary based on the intern’s background and ongoing projects, and may include:

• Conducting literature reviews and compiling data on population trends, ageing, migration, and sustainable development implications.
• Assisting with meetings and event preparations, including logistics and documentation.
• Reviewing and editing working papers and reports for accuracy and clarity.
• Developing audio-visual materials such as PowerPoint presentations and info charts to communicate policy messages.
• Performing data analysis using Excel and other statistical tools.
• Creating website content and supporting communication activities.
• Undertaking additional tasks assigned by the Section Chief or other staff.

This internship provides a practical understanding of policy research, data analysis, and population-focused initiatives in a regional UN context.

 Qualifications & Skills

Applicants must meet one of the following:

• Be enrolled in or have completed a Master’s or PhD program, or
• Be enrolled in or have completed the final year of a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in:
  • Social Studies
  • Demography
  • International Relations
  • Statistics
  • Human Rights Law

Other desired skills:

• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Teams
• Ability to draft news articles or social media content
• Skills in designing surveys or polls (desirable)
• Strong interest in population, migration, youth, and ageing issues

 Languages

• Required: Fluency in English (spoken and written)
• Advantageous: Knowledge of an additional UN official language such as Chinese or Russian

 Additional Information

• This is an UNPAID internship. Costs for travel, accommodation, visas, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
• Interns may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization if they are not citizens or permanent residents of Thailand.