Corporate Innovation Intern

Work LocationBangkok Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Innovation Team of ESCAP is looking for a creative and entrepreneurial intern to assist in design, communication and promotion of innovation activities that foster a culture of innovation and supports the organization to deliver new and better products and services to stakeholders. Background The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The ESCAP secretariat supports inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in the region by generating action-oriented knowledge, and by providing technical assistance and capacity-building services in support of national development objectives, regional agreements and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ESCAP also provides support to partners at the national level. To deliver on its mandate, easily adapt to change, and increase the impact of its work, ESCAP seeks to continuously innovate its knowledge products, culture, and internal processes. ESCAP's corporate innovation efforts are led by an inter-divisional team that promotes internal innovation activities to shape the organization's culture, help reshape ESCAP's products and services, promote greater cross-collaboration among teams, and expose personnel to innovation, foresight and behavioral science methodologies, as well as digital tools and automation solutions. This internship is under the Division of Administration and operates at the organization-wide level under the supervision of the Office of the Executive Secretary. The intern reports directly to the Innovation Team members. Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Innovation Team, the intern will support key deliverables for the 2025/26 cycle. Responsibilities include: 1. Contribute to the design and implementation of innovation activities and events that promote a culture of innovation across the organization. 2. Assist in consultations, needs assessments, and pilot projects that apply innovation, foresight, behavioral science, and automation solutions to ESCAP’s workstreams. 3. Support ideation, testing, and promotion of new digital tools and creative solutions, including exploration and responsible use of AI technologies. 4. Help develop and maintain communication materials and platforms, including presentation decks, campaigns, LinkedIn content, and internal sites (e.g. SharePoint, ESCAP public webpage). 5. Contribute to the development and design of internal knowledge-sharing platforms, including support to site structure, navigation, and user experience. 6. Conduct research and analysis on innovation methodologies, behavioral science, digital transformation, and related topics. 7. Support communication efforts of the Innovation Team, including newsletters, reporting materials, and storytelling content. 8. Perform other tasks as required, including ad hoc support to strategic initiatives and innovation experiments. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as the proposed internship program will offer the opportunity to apply technical and practical knowledge of innovation principles and change management in the context of the United Nations. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the office to which they are assigned. Flexible arrangements are possible. Qualifications/special skillsEducation To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), preferably in the areas of Innovation Management, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Communications, Creative Design, or related areas; OR • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); OR • Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above). • Proficiency in graphic design tools is considered an advantage. • Proficiency in Office 365 and SharePoint development is considered an advantage. • Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter. • Have a 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. Additional desired qualifications: • Familiarity with or interest in artificial intelligence tools for productivity, ideation, communication, and content creation. • Proficiency in graphic design and digital communication tools (e.g. Canva, Adobe Suite, Figma, or similar). • Experience with Office 365 and SharePoint, or other digital collaboration platforms. • Skills in content creation for internal or external audiences (e.g. social media, newsletters, web platforms). • Understanding of user-centered design, innovation methodologies, or digital transformation is considered an advantage. Professional work experience is not required for participation in the UN internship programme. However, the following experiences are considered strong advantages: • Academic or practical experience in innovation, behavioral science, communication, product design, or digital transformation. • Exposure to AI-powered tools for research, ideation, content creation, or productivity (e.g. ChatGPT, image generators, AI design tools). • Experience in creating communication materials such as presentations, visual assets, newsletters, or content for websites and social media. • Familiarity with collaboration and site development tools, such as SharePoint, Office 365, Notion, or similar platforms. • Participation in or support workshops, campaigns, events, or ideation sessions, particularly in international, academic, or innovation-focused environments. Academic or practical experience in innovation, behavioral science, communication, product design, or digital transformation. Exposure to AI-powered tools for research, ideation, content creation, or productivity (e.g. ChatGPT, image generators, AI design tools). Experience in creating communication materials such as presentations, visual assets, newsletters, or content for websites and social media. Familiarity with collaboration and site development tools, such as SharePoint, Office 365, Notion, or similar platforms. Participation in or support workshops, campaigns, events, or ideation sessions, particularly in international, academic, or innovation-focused environments. LanguagesFluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Additional InformationNot available. Intern Specific textInterns 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 FeeTHE 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.