Internships: United Nations Development Programme in offering internship positions

Internships offer a small group of outstanding graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UNDP's work. They are designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation, but also complements other international studies, including law.

Internships can take place in a UNDP country office/ regional center or at the organization's Headquarters in New York. Assignments vary greatly in terms of content. Every attempt is made to match the interests of the intern with the needs of the organization.

Internship assignments vary in length according to the availability and academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of UNDP. Assignments are available on a part-time and full-time basis throughout the year.

Qualifications

Interns are selected on a competitive basis. The following minimum qualifications are required: Enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme in a development related field such as economics, public or business administration, or environmental studies. Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.

Demonstrated interest in the field of development

Language skills: written and spoken proficiency in at least one, and preferably two of the three working languages used by UNDP: English, French and Spanish. Fluency in Arabic, Portuguese, Russian or Eastern European language is an asset.

An interest in global mobility; adaptability to varied physical and other environments; a desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.

Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.


Financial Issues

UNDP does not pay for internships. The costs associated with the latter must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her own arrangements for travel, accommodation etc.

Further Career Opportunities

The purpose of internships is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but, as mentioned, to complement an intern's studies. However, a number of interns, having completed their studies and met the necessary requirements, have gone on to further assignments with the UNDP or elsewhere in the United Nations system.

Who to contact

Selection for the internships is fully decentralized within UNDP.

Applicants interested in an internship should forward their application directly to the relevant country office or unit.

Download the UNDP application form for internships (MS Word | PDF).