UN Sustainable Development Group System-Wide Evaluation Office in New York
Work Location
In person in New York, full-time or part-time modalities would be considered.
Expected duration
3-6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
Office Background The Secretary-General established the United Nations Sustainable Development Group System-Wide Evaluation Office (SWEO) to strengthen oversight, transparency, accountability, and collective learning across the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, in line with the provisions of the 2024 UNSDG System-Wide Evaluation Policy. The SWEO is responsible for the conduct of a small number of global system-wide evaluations on the most strategic and relevant system-wide issues related to the United Nations development system. These evaluations provide input to system-wide policy and agenda-setting, as well as operational implementation and decision-making.
Ongoing system-wide evaluations include an evaluation of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy. New evaluations commencing in 2025 may include an evaluation of United Nations Sustainable Development Group support to the SDG transformation pathways and an evaluation of the United Nations Youth Strategy. SWEO also has a key role in generating system-wide evaluation evidence to enhance collective knowledge sharing and promote learning.
This work includes the production of syntheses and summaries of evaluation evidence and of evidence maps. Further priorities include the preparation of system-wide evaluation guidance, systems development, and communications. Further information is available in the 2024 Annual Report and on the United Nations website: https://www.un.org/system-wide-evaluation-office/en. Internship Duties The System-Wide Evaluation Office is seeking graduate students who wish to gain professional experience in an international organization to supplement their studies from January 2026 for a period of up to 6 months (full-time or part-time). The internship provides practical educational experience working in an independent evaluation office in a multicultural and intergovernmental organization.
Under the supervision of experienced managers, interns are assigned projects and tasks that are relevant to their educational background and interests and provided with the opportunity to apply and further develop their theoretical knowledge and gain exposure to the work of the United Nations Secretariat. Interns report to full-time professional staff in the System-Wide Evaluation Office. Interns will be responsible for one or more of the following duties:
- Contribute to the preparation of documents and guidance materials through the conduct of desk research and preparation of reports and papers.
- Assist evaluation teams in collecting, organizing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data.
- Contribute to the preparation of evaluation knowledge management products, evaluation communication and services (database, newsletter, web-enabled knowledge platforms, etc.);
- Preparation of presentations and other communication material, including drafting, formatting, editing, data visualization, graphics, photos, and videos.
- Assist in coordinating the formulation of work plans and strategies.
- Support outreach and engagement through the preparation of meetings, events, talking points, and background notes.
- Assist with the development of office systems, as required.
Qualifications/special skills
To qualify for an internship by the United Nations Headquarters Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
(1) Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
(2) Be enrolled in the FINAL academic year of a university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
(3) Have graduated with a university degree as defined in (1) and (2). Preferably in the area of a degree program in one of the social sciences, economics, or public administration (preferably with coursework in evaluation and/or related applied research methodologies) in a graduate school (second university degree or higher); or if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate-equivalent institutions, towards the completion of a degree in one of the social sciences, economics, or public administration (preferably with coursework in evaluation and/or related applied research methodologies). Competencies:
- A keen interest in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and commitment to the work of the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Show willingness to acquire new knowledge.
- Ability to work as a member of a team.
- Ability to produce quality results in time
- Ability to work in a multicultural and multilingual environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Data analysis and visualization skills and proficiency of related software applications (e.g., Microsoft Power BI, SharePoint, Tableau, Excel, Qlik, SQL, R, STATA, MaxQDA, NVivo, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Canva) would be a strong advantage. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advanced coursework work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Have you completed a UN internship before? If yes, please include the UN entity as well as, assignment.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, or Russian) is an advantage.
Additional Information
Visa and Work Authorization Mandatory Requirements: For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents, or on another non-immigrant status (such as F1 visa) will be required to obtain a G4 visa. Interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa, and if required, employment authorization (CPT/OPT), allowing them to undertake the internship.
Intern Specific text
The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. 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.
To Apply, CLICK HERE:
Recommended Opportunities
UNFPA Human Resources Internship Post in Nairobi, Kenya
Plan International Internship Post in Monitoring and Evaluation in Uganda
Internship Opportunity At UNEP Dar es Salaam
