United States of America

Internships

UNDP Washington is no longer accepting applications for Spring 2023 and will not engage interns in Summer 2023 only

Thank you for your interest in interning with the UNDP Washington Representation Office, which serves as the primary UNDP liaison to the U.S. Congress, State Department, USAID, World Bank Group, and other multilateral and international organizations, as well as the Washington-based diplomatic community, media, and civil society. UNDP Washington internships are highly competitive, with interns selected from around the world. As a UNDP Washington intern, you will observe and support the day-to-day work of the UN Development Program. As part of our team, you will be exposed to high-profile conferences, participate in meetings, and contribute to analytical and other UNDP work.

The following minimum qualifications are required of every applicant:

  • Enrollment in a graduate-level degree program in communications and/or 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.
  • Ability to work for three consecutive months, at least three days or 24 hours weekly. Maximum internship length is six months.
  • Demonstrated interest in development and willingness to learn.
  • Interest in working on global issues and desire to work with and gain the confidence of people from a wide range of backgrounds.
  • Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and UNDP Statement of Purpose.

Language skills: Written and spoken proficiency in English.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Please e-mail all complete applications to: 
undp.washington@undp.org (Attention: Internship Coordinator) with copy to Ebru.Kuran@undp.org

Application Materials (Note that only completed applications will be considered)
    •    Cover letter
    •    Curriculum Vitae
    •    Completed UNDP Application Form (see below)
 

DEADLINE SCHEDULE (all applications are strictly due by midnight EST)

Internship Start Date End Date Application Deadline
Spring 2023 February May

6 January 2023

CLOSED

Summer 2023

 May August

31 March

We will not engage interns this summer.
Fall 2023 August  December 30 June

The UNDP Washington Representation Office reserves the right to contact only those applicants in whom we have further interest.

1. UNDP Washington General Internship

Outstanding graduate-level students have the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UNDP's work. Internships are designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation and also complements other international studies, including law.

In addition to the aforementioned general requirements, the following qualifications are desired but not necessary:

  • Candidates possessing Capitol Hill experience and knowledge of congressional procedures are especially welcome.
  • Experience working in the development in the field

Intern tasks may include:

  • Attending Congressional hearings and other public policy fora pertaining to UNDP and briefing UNDP staff
  • Receiving and responding to requests for UNDP's assistance and attention
  • Helping to plan and execute UNDP-related events
  • Updating existing media, think-tank, and government contact databases
  • Assisting UNDP staff with day-to-day operations

2. UNDP Washington Communications Internship

UNDP seeks an enthusiastic graduate student with excellent communications-related skills for its Communications Internship. Under the supervision of the Communications Adviser, the intern will provide support for communications-, advocacy, and outreach-related activities. Tasks may include:

  • Provide assistance to the Communications Adviser in updating the UNDP Washington Representation Office website

  • Work with the Communications Adviser in formulation and implementation of new communications strategies
  • Audio/Video recording and editing for webcasts

  • Research materials from UNDP intranet and other sources for publication and dissemination.
  • Monitor media and assemble daily press clips
  • Assist in other outreach-related activities of the office

Required Skills and Experience
:

  • Excellent writing skills
  • Passionate about development
  • Eagerness to learn and a positive attitude
  • Experience with news releases, newsletters, and other traditional media preferred
  • Social media management skills (e.g. Twitter, Constant Contact, Hootsuite, etc.)
  • Audio/video recording and editing experience
 a plus
  • Familiarity with content management systems preferred
  • Knowledge of Washington DC media preferred

3. UNDP Internships: Conditions of Service

  • UNDP pays a small stipend for the internship; all additional expenses connected with it must be borne by applicant or his/her sponsoring institution.
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during internships, and the applicant must therefore provide proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan prior to arrival.
  • There is no expectation of employment at the end of internship.
  • Applicants must be responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.
  • In some cases, and consistent with public health guidelines, interns may be offered remote or hybrid work arrangements.

Once accepted as an intern, the following additional conditions will apply:

  • Conduct must at all times be in a manner compatible with responsibilities of a UNDP internship.
  • Interns must keep confidential any and all unpublished information made known to intern by the accepting office during the course of internship and not publish any reports or papers on the basis of information obtained from the program, except with authorization from UNDP.
  • Interns must provide written notice in case of illness and other unavoidable circumstances that might prevent him/her from fulfilling obligations.

For more general information about UNDP internships, please visit UNDP's main website on internships.

4. Application Form (please print/scan and include with other application materials)

1. Name of applicant ___________________________________________________ 

2. Current university or institutional affiliation ______________________________

3. Area of study _______________________________ 

4. Degree expected: _______Masters ________Doctorate __________Other 

5. Date degree will be granted (Day/Month/Year) ________________________ 

6. Briefly explain your reasons for applying to the UNDP Internship Programme. Please include specific objectives and expected benefits of the internship 

7. Requested dates for Internship (UNDP accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and maximum of 6 months) 

From: __________________ to: __________________ 

8. Preferred hours for internship (please check one) 

________ Full-time (40 hours per week) 

_________Part-time (please specify the hours requested and why below): 

_________Virtual or ________In-person (please specify) 

9. Statement of understanding of the conditions of the Internship 

I understand that, should I be accepted as an intern in UNDP, the following conditions will apply: 

a) Status: Although not considered a staff member of UNDP, I shall be subject to the authority of the Administrator and the authority delegated by him to the Heads of Bureaux and Offices. I understand that I am not entitled to the privileges and immunities accorded by member states to UNDP, its officials, and staff. 

b) Financial support: I shall not be paid by UNDP and must make my own arrangements for living expenses. Travel costs to and from the duty station and living accommodation are also my own responsibility or those of the sponsoring institution. 

c) Medical insurance coverage: UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs or fatality arising from illness or accidents incurred during the internship; therefore, I must carry adequate and regular medical and life insurance. I will be covered by the following health and life insurance during the internship period (your application will not be processed unless you provide photocopies of your medical insurance and life insurance card or policy). 
Medical:_________ 
Life: _____________ 

d) Passports and visas: I am responsible for obtaining necessary passport and visas when required. UNDP will issue only a letter stating acceptance of an individual as an intern and the conditions governing the internship. 

e) Confidentiality and publication of information: As an intern, I will respect the confidentiality of information that I collect or am exposed to at UNDP. No reports or papers may be published based on information obtained from UNDP without the explicit written authorization of the Head of Bureau or Office. 

f) Employment prospects: The UNDP Internship Programme is not connected with employment and there is no expectancy of such. Interns cannot apply for posts advertised internally to UNDP staff during the period of internship. 

Signed: __________________ Date: ______________________