Economic Affairs Internship at the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Lusaka, Zambia: Apply Now
Are you passionate about promoting economic growth, social development, intra-regional integration, and international cooperation for Africa’s development? If so, don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!
The Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is offering an internship located in one of the Sections of the Subregional office for Southern Africa (SRO-SA) based in Lusaka, Zambia.
This internship can be conducted remotely or in person. The duration of the internship is six months on a full-time basis, with interns working five days per week (35 hours). If you have a strong interest in the work of the United Nations and are committed to its ideals as outlined in the Charter, apply today.
At the end of the assignment, upon the supervisor’s recommendation, you will receive an internship certificate. UNECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa, guided by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063. The mission is supported by ECA’s five strategic directions.
Strategic Directions
- Advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution: Utilizing its unique position and privilege, ECA aims to bring global solutions to Africa’s problems while also applying local solutions to the continent’s challenges.
- Developing macroeconomic and structural policy options: UNECA seeks to accelerate economic diversification and job creation by designing and implementing innovative policies.
- Innovative financing models for infrastructure and human development: ECA aims to create and implement financing models that facilitate the transformation of Africa by investing in infrastructure and human, physical, and social assets.
- Contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges: UNECA focuses on peace, security, and social inclusion as vital components of development, addressing regional and transboundary issues.
- Advocating Africa’s position globally and developing regional responses: UNECA promotes Africa’s interests at the global level while developing regional responses to contribute to global governance issues.
Responsibilities
As an intern, you will work under the direct supervision of a designated Economic Affairs Officer in a Section of SRO-SA. Your primary responsibility will be to contribute to the work of the office and support the implementation of technical assistance projects. The specific activities may vary depending on the project/assignment, but the typical tasks include:
- Preparing and managing project activities: You will create and update a calendar of project activities, ensuring adherence to timelines.
- Document preparation for workshops/meetings: You will prepare substantive documents and notes required for planned workshops and meetings, such as concept notes, agendas, and related materials.
- Assisting in workshop/meeting planning and organization: You will support the planning and organization of workshops and meetings, including drafting letters of invitation, following up on participant confirmations, identifying suitable panelists, and drafting presentations.
- Servicing workshops and meetings: During project-related events, you will take notes, draft inputs for speeches and statements, and provide administrative support.
- Consultant recruitment: You will assist in the identification, selection, and recruitment of consultants needed for project execution, including preparing inputs for terms of reference.
- Research and analysis: Conducting literature reviews, research, and analysis on inclusive industrialization and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to inform the development of office outputs, such as statistical databases and reports.
- Data management: Contributing to data trawling exercises to track indicators for the inclusive industrialization database, and assisting in the establishment of other necessary project databases.
- Country strategies and profiles: Participating in the development and updating of country strategies and profiles.
- Supporting data and statistics focal point: Shadowing the data and statistics focal point officer, assisting in their work, and contributing to briefs and reporting exercises.
- Identifying funding sources: Assisting in identifying potential sources of extra-budgetary funds for the office.
- Mobilizing strategic partnerships: Actively participating in the mobilization of strategic partnerships for the office.
- Enhancing project deliverables: Contributing innovative and creative ideas to improve the quality and impact of project outputs.
- Methodology selection: Identifying suitable methodologies to be employed in the delivery of project outputs.
- Administrative tasks: Performing administrative tasks related to the project, in consultation with the administrative staff of SRO-SA and ECA.
- Communication materials preparation: Assisting in the preparation of communication materials, including video scripts and tweets, to disseminate project outputs.
- Ad-hoc requests: Fulfilling any ad-hoc requests made by the Economic Affairs Officer to ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of project deliverables, including setting up meetings.
Required Qualifications
Education: To be eligible for this internship, you must meet the following conditions:
- Enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
- Enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent).
- Graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within one year of graduation.
Computer Literacy: Proficiency in standard software applications is essential.
Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, including a willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
Work Experience: No prior work experience is required for the United Nations Internship Programme. However, your training, education, advanced coursework, or skills should be beneficial to the United Nations during your internship.
Languages: Fluency in English or French, the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, is required for the internship program. Working knowledge of the other language is desirable, and knowledge of another United Nations language is an advantage.