The United Nations ESCAP Energy Division is offering an unpaid internship in Bangkok, Thailand, lasting 3–6 months. Explore energy research, sustainable development and climate-related projects. Apply by 30 October 2026.
Background & Job Description
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) is inviting applications for an Energy Division Internship in Bangkok, Thailand. The opportunity is designed for students and recent graduates interested in energy policy, sustainable development, climate change and energy economics.
The internship offers practical exposure to research, data analysis and regional cooperation initiatives supporting energy security and the transition towards sustainable energy systems across Asia and the Pacific.
The placement lasts three to six months, depending on the needs of the Energy Division. It is full-time and unpaid, with interns working 37.5 hours per week under the supervision of United Nations staff.
Applications close on 30 October 2026.
Internship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | United Nations ESCAP |
| Division | Energy Division |
| Opportunity | Internship |
| Location | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Duration | 3–6 months |
| Working hours | 37.5 hours per week |
| Remuneration | Unpaid |
| Posting period | 16 September–30 October 2026 |
| Job opening number | 26–ESCAP-284917-V-BANGKOK |
| Application deadline | 30 October 2026 |
| Official application | Apply through UN Inspira |
Tasks and Internship Benefits
Interns will support information collection, research and analysis under the guidance of professional staff in the Energy Division. Applicants should indicate their preferred research areas in their applications.
Potential areas of work include:
- Sustainable energy and SDG 7: Researching access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency.
- Energy financing and economics: Examining energy prices, taxation, subsidies, energy affordability and regional energy trade.
- Electricity connectivity: Supporting research and project development related to cross-border electricity connections in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Energy access and clean cooking: Collecting and analysing data on electricity access, clean cooking and their social and economic benefits.
- Energy transition: Exploring natural gas, decarbonisation, critical minerals, materials and sustainable supply chains.
- Sustainable cooling: Researching energy-efficient cooling technologies, passive building design, policy and urban heat management.
- Energy data and digital platforms: Supporting the Asia-Pacific Energy Portal through data collection, database reviews, data processing and visualisation.
The internship may involve working with Excel to organise and analyse data, review energy indicators and prepare visualisations. It can provide practical exposure to research methods, policy analysis and regional sustainable development work.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Applicants must meet at least one of the following academic requirements:
- Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate programme leading to a second university degree or higher.
- Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme at bachelor’s level or equivalent.
Applicants must have a field of study closely related to the internship. Previous professional work experience is not required.
Candidates should also demonstrate the following:
- Good knowledge of standard office software, particularly Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Teams.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Strong research, analytical and information-handling skills relevant to their preferred area.
- Ability to work with data and communicate findings clearly.
Experience drafting news articles or social media posts and designing surveys or polls is desirable. Knowledge of an additional official UN language—Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish—is an advantage.
Applicants must indicate which academic eligibility requirement they meet and provide supporting documentation. An official certificate may be requested at a later stage.
Additional Information
The internship is unpaid. Travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution. Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of Thailand may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work or employment authorisation.
Application deadline: 30 October 2026.
How to apply: Visit the official UN Inspira vacancy page, review the full requirements and complete the online application. Clearly indicate your preferred research area or areas and provide evidence of your academic eligibility.
The United Nations does not charge application, interview, processing or training fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the UN ESCAP Energy Division Internship?
It is an internship in Bangkok focused on research and analysis related to energy security, sustainable energy, climate change and regional development.
2. How long does the internship last?
The placement lasts between three and six months, depending on the needs of the Energy Division.
3. Is the internship paid?
No. The UN states that interns are not financially remunerated. Travel, accommodation, visa and living expenses must be covered by the intern or a sponsoring institution.
4. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include those enrolled in or having completed graduate studies, and those enrolled in or having completed the final academic year of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Their field of study must be relevant to the internship.
5. Is professional work experience required?
No. Previous professional work experience is not required for this UN internship.
6. What language skills are required?
Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.
7. What research areas are available?
Areas include renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy economics, electricity connectivity, clean cooking, natural gas and decarbonisation, sustainable cooling, and energy data management.
8. What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 30 October 2026.
9. Where is the internship based?
The internship is based in Bangkok, Thailand.
10. How can I apply?
Apply through the official UN Inspira vacancy page.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This internship may suit students and recent graduates pursuing energy policy, environmental studies, economics, engineering, sustainable development or related fields. It offers exposure to regional energy research and policy analysis, but candidates should carefully consider the unpaid nature of the placement and the costs of relocating to Bangkok.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares career and educational opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with the United Nations and does not recruit on the organisation’s behalf. Applicants should verify the eligibility criteria and application details through the official UN vacancy page.
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