Nowcasts intern
Organizational Context
This internship is with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva, specifically within the Statistics, Data and Digital Service. The program is unpaid, part-time, and offered on an in-person basis. Interns will support the organization's nowcasting models, which provide real-time estimations of global trade and GDP using machine learning and high-frequency indicators.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this internship is to provide students and recent graduates with practical experience in the work of the United Nations, specifically supporting UNCTAD's nowcasting initiatives. The intern will contribute to the development and enhancement of real-time economic estimation models for global trade and GDP. This role offers exposure to data collection pipelines, machine learning model evaluation, and research into expanding economic indicators. The experience gained will help interns understand UNCTAD's analytical outputs, such as the Global Trade Update, and contribute to the organization's data science and AI efforts, aligning with the UN's broader objectives.
Responsibilities
The intern will primarily support UNCTAD's nowcasting models, which generate real-time data-driven estimations of global trade and GDP. Key duties include assisting in the evaluation and enhancement of data collection pipelines and machine learning models, potentially incorporating uncertainty bands. The intern will also research the feasibility of expanding nowcasts to new geographies and series. Additionally, the role involves assisting with related tasks within the Statistics, Data and Digital Service's AI and data science initiatives, as well as broader trade data analytics. The intern will contribute to weekly updates of economic signals for UNCTAD's analytical outputs, including the Global Trade Update.
Work Experience
No professional work experience is required for this internship. However, a field of study closely related to the internship's focus is necessary. Applicants should be computer literate in standard software applications.
Skills
Computer literacy in standard software applications, keen interest in the UN's work, ability to interact with diverse cultural backgrounds, knowledge of R, Python, PowerPoint, and Git.