Frequently Asked Questions

What is UNDP?

UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

We are on the ground in 166 countries, supporting their own solutions to development challenges and developing national and local capacities that will help them achieve human development and the Millennium Development Goals. Our work is concentrated on four main focus areas:

• Democratic Governance
• Poverty Reduction and Achievement of the MDGs
• Crisis Prevention and Recovery
• Environment and Energy for Sustainable Development

UNDP helps countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we promote the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women. Please visit our Country Office Web sites for more information on what UNDP is doing worldwide.

Where is UNDP located?

UNDP has its headquarters in New York City, but works primarily through its offices in more than 140 countries. Most of these offices have Web sites.

UNDP Headquarters
One United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 906-5000
Fax: (212) 906-5364

UNDP also has Liaison Offices and Regional Centres at the following locations:

 
When and how did UNDP come into being?

UNDP is based on the merging of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, created in 1949, and the United Nations Special Fund, established in 1958. UNDP, as we know it now, was established in 1965 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. A comprehensive book on the history of UNDP was published in 2006 and can be purchased at the UN Bookshop or directly from the publisher.

 
How do I learn more about UNDP?

Click here to learn more about who we are and what we do.

Does UNDP offer financial assistance to individuals for study/training programmes or other type of projects?

No. UNDP's mandate does not permit us to provide financial assistance to individuals (including students seeking scholarships for their studies), companies or private groups. We work in collaboration with governments on development programmes and projects. To learn more about UNDP’s work with civil society organizations, the private sector, foundations and key donors and partners, please visit our Partners website. If you wish to learn more about UNDP's ongoing projects and programmes in your country, please contact your local country office.

I am a vendor looking for business opportunities with UNDP. Who should I contact?

How can I access UNDP publications?

You can access most of UNDP’s publications on our Publications website. This site includes flagship and most recent publications and links to publications by topic and region. If you need country-specific documentation, we suggest you visit the relevant UNDP Country Office website. For a catalogue of UN publications, please click here.

Does UNDP have an annual report, or a document describing activities and financial aspects of its work?

UNDP Annual Reports summarize UNDP’s main activities, showcase success stories from the ground and contain information on where our money comes from and how we spend it. The website of UNDP’s main governing body, the Executive Board, contains major policy, financial, budgetary and administrative-related documents.

 
What is the Human Development Report?

The annual Human Development Reports are UNDP’s flagship publications. They focus the global debate on key development issues, providing new measurement tools, innovative analysis and often controversial policy proposals. They are guided by the belief that development is ultimately a process of enlarging people’s choices, not just raising national incomes. The independent teams of experts who write the Reports draw on a worldwide network of leaders from academia, government and civil society who contribute data, ideas, and best practices. Developing countries and their international partners use the Report to gauge results and shape new policies. The global Reports analytical framework and inclusive approach carry over into regional, national and local human development reports. For further information and to access global, regional or national human development reports online please visit the HDR Web site.

 
What is the policy regarding the reproduction of materials found on the Web site?

All materials found on UNDP websites are copyrighted to UNDP.

For non-profit organizations, materials found on the website or any UNDP publications (or parts thereof) may be freely reproduced, as long as due credit is given to the source.

For commercial usage or sales publications, please specify which publication (title, year, page/s) or part of the website will be reproduced (URL of webpage), and send your request to publications.queries@undp.org

For further details regarding the reproduction of UNDP materials found on the website click here.

For copyrights permissions concerning Human Development Reports (HDRs): UNDP owns the copyright to all materials in the HDRs but the publishers manage them for UNDP. For further advice please contact the Outreach and Advocacy Unit of the HDR Office.

 
I am looking for a former/present staff member. Could you give me his/her phone number or e-mail address?

We are not authorized to provide e-mail addresses of former or present staff members. You may however call +1 (212) 906-5000 to obtain UN/UNDP staff directory assistance.

I want to make a donation to UNDP that is tax deductible in the United States. To whom do I make the check and to what address do I send the contribution?

Contributions should go to the US Committee for UNDP. The Committee has 501(c)3 status and has supported UNDP’s work in Angola, the Dominican Republic, Georgia, Pakistan and Somalia.

I have received a suspicious e-mail, supposedly from UNDP, informing me that I have won money/that I have been selected for a UNDP training programme/job. I suspect it is a scam. What should I do?

UNDP is currently aware of fictitious vacancy announcements that are being circulated through the internet, the purpose of which is to get people to register for a training and send in a fee. If you believe that you have received such a notice, please forward it, and any other related information you have received, to scamalert@undp.org. Since logos, emblems, names and addresses can be easily copied or reproduced, you are advised to take particular care in applying for vacancies, including undertaking all appropriate measures to protect against the unauthorized use of any personal information you may have provided as a result of the scam.

How do I apply for a job with UNDP?

All current UNDP vacancies and online application forms are available on our Jobs website. This site also includes links to the Leadership Development Programme, Junior Professional Officers' Programme, UN Volunteers, consultancies and internships.

How do I apply for an internship with UNDP?

For information on Internships at UNDP, please visit our Internships website. The internship application process is decentralized, which means that you have to send your internship application directly to the Country Office or unit in headquarters (please choose from the menu of options in “What we Do” on our homepage) that you are interested in applying to.

I wish to file a complaint against a UNDP staff member or about a UNDP project, programme or operation. Who can I contact?