Background

As a Middle Income Country (MIC), Thailand is on track to meet almost all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and has set its own more ambitious targets, the MDG Plus, that go well beyond the internationally-agreed MDGs. Thailand has also emerged as an important “donor of the South”, providing substantial levels of ODA to its neighbors and strategically engaging in development cooperation in the region and beyond.

In this context, UNDP Country Office (CO) in Thailand plays a strategic role in supporting the Government of Thailand to address emerging development opportunities and challenges, and has re-positioned itself toward providing tailored knowledge services, focusing on upstream policy advisory work and advocacy on critical and strategic Democratic Governance and Environment and Natural Resource Management issues, the two main programme pillars of the Thailand CO.

In this regard, UNDP’s work in Thailand can be divided into five broad thematic areas which are Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development Unit; and Democratic Governance and Social Advocacy.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will be responsible for:

  • Provide backstopping support to key activities of Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development Unit;
  • Assist in the liaising with UNDP partners from the government agencies and CSOs;
  • Provide support on the development of Inclusive Green Growth and Sustainable Development Unit’s portfolio communications materials;
  • Provide other assistance e.g. preparation and translation of documents and organizing meetings.

Competencies

  • Effective communications skills;
  • Excellent computer skills;
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure and tight deadlines;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
  • Solicits feedback about the impact of his/her own behavior;
  • Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure within an international setting;
  • Ability to perform a variety of administrative tasks.

Required Skills and Experience

Eligibility:

  • Current enrollment in a masters or equivalent degree in Environment Studies, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Development Studies or related field;
  • Demonstrable skills in analytical thinking, communication, and research;
  • Good communication skills; speaking, writing, and editing skills in English and Thai;
  • Note that candidates that have graduated are not eligible for internship.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English and Thai.

Interns’ Expenses:

  • Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP.  All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme must be borne by: the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.

Subsequent Employment:

  • The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.