2025 Data Analytics Internship at UNFPA: Remote Opportunity with Global Impact

Organization: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Position: Data Analytics Intern – Office of Audit and Investigation Services (OAIS)
Contract Type: Internship
Location: Remote
Duration: 24 Weeks (Full-Time)
Duty Station (if applicable): New York, USA
Application Deadline: 31 August 2025 at 11:59 PM (EST)

About UNFPA and OAIS

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the UN’s lead agency dedicated to ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Guided by its 2022–2025 Strategic Plan, UNFPA is committed to achieving three transformative results:

• Ending preventable maternal deaths
• Ending the unmet need for family planning
• Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices

Within this framework, the Office of Audit and Investigation Services (OAIS) functions as an independent entity reporting directly to the Executive Director of UNFPA. OAIS strengthens risk management, oversight, and operational efficiency through internal audits, investigations, and advisory services. It consists of the Office of the Director, the Internal Audit Branch, and the Investigation Branch.

Internship Overview

UNFPA invites applications for a remote Data Analytics Internship within OAIS. This six-month, full-time opportunity is tailored for motivated students or recent graduates in data science, statistics, computer science, or related fields.

The intern will contribute to ongoing digital transformation initiatives, supporting advanced data-driven oversight methods. Reporting directly to the Data Management Specialist and working under the general supervision of the Director of OAIS, the selected candidate will gain hands-on experience in data engineering, analytics, and machine learning in the context of UN operations.

Key Responsibilities

The Data Analytics Intern will:

• Collaborate with audit teams to define and document data requirements.
• Identify and extract datasets from operational systems, such as Oracle ERP.
• Design and implement ETL pipelines and data workflows.
• Develop scripts for automated data validation and analysis.
• Conduct exploratory data analysis and apply statistical techniques.
• Build interactive dashboards and visualizations (Power BI preferred).
• Research and prototype machine learning models for anomaly detection and risk evaluation.
• Support the integration of AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) into oversight activities.

Educational Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in a postgraduate program (Master’s or higher) in data science, computer engineering, statistics, mathematics, or a related discipline.
• Enrolled in the final year of an undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
• Recently graduated (within the past 12 months) in a qualifying discipline and able to begin the internship within one year of graduation.

Technical Skills and Experience

• Strong understanding of data models, ETL processes, and database development.
• Advanced Python proficiency for data engineering and machine learning.
• Solid grounding in statistical methods (e.g., regression, hypothesis testing, distribution analysis).
• Experience with business intelligence tools such as Microsoft Power BI (preferred).
• Familiarity with AI and LLM technologies (advantageous).

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.
• Knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an asset.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the internship, the intern will:

• Gain insight into the internal oversight functions of a UN agency.
• Apply data science techniques to audit and investigation practices.
• Understand how data-driven solutions support global development and humanitarian operations.
• Develop skills for remote collaboration in a diverse, multicultural professional environment.

Core Competencies

• Integrity and ethical conduct
• Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving ability
• Clear written and oral communication
• Proactive, reliable, and objective work approach

Financial Considerations

• UNFPA internships are unpaid.
• Interns without institutional financial support may receive a modest stipend, based on their duty station.
• Interns must hold valid medical insurance for the entire internship period.
• Costs related to insurance, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern.

Application Process

Interested candidates must submit:

1. Motivation letter (stating interest and suitability for the internship)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume

Applications should be sent via email with the subject line:
“Application OAIS/DATA Intern”

📧 Email: DirectorOAIS@unfpa.org

Deadline: 31 August 2025, 11:59 PM (EST)

Important Note

• UNFPA does not charge any fees during recruitment.
• Applicants are urged to report suspicious or fraudulent activities to the official UNFPA fraud hotline.

Why This Internship Matters

This internship provides a unique platform to contribute to high-impact analytics projects within the UN system. Interns will play a direct role in strengthening transparency, accountability, and data-driven oversight across UNFPA’s global operations.

For aspiring professionals eager to apply data science for social good in an international development context, this opportunity offers a stepping stone towards a meaningful career in governance, audit, and humanitarian work.