UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do.
 
UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:

• Democratic governance and peacebuilding
• Sustainable development
• Climate and disaster resilience

Over the past 30 years of cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, UNDP has implemented more than 250 projects and assisted the country in preparing key national and regional policy documents, institutionalization and capacity building, enhancing efficiency of public institutions, strengthening human right institutions, enhancing resilience to climate risks, bridging social inequalities, promoting renewable energy sources and energy efficiency and protecting the environment. UNDP is currently implementing more than 30 projects within the country. A central element of UNDP’s work is the support to the implementation of the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) helping Kazakhstan achieve the transition to sustainable development. We promote sustainable and inclusive growth by combining policy support with targeted development assistance to the country’s most vulnerable groups and communities while advancing gender equality and principles of zero tolerance to harassment, sexual harassment and abuse. 

Our staff uphold the principles and core values of the Organization They also share a strong commitment to high-quality work and to serving the country’s development interests – to achieving results that will have positive impacts on the well-being of the Kazakh people. Our staff includes a rich mix of professionals and experts on governance, economics, gender, international relations, climate and environmental management, communications, education, health care, community safety, public policy, and computer science, among other fields.

The internship opportunity is open to current students and recent graduates from diverse academic backgrounds exposure.

The purpose of UNDP’s Internship Programme is to:

• Provide a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds may be assigned to UNDP offices, where their educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments. 
• Directly experiencing development work run by UNDP in the country. 
• Complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various professional aspects.
• Expose them to an international environment. 
• Expose them to work of the Organization with the objective of deepening their knowledge and understanding of UNDP’s goals, principles, and activities.
• Provide UNDP offices with the assistance of qualified students specialized in various professional fields.

This call is for the Internship Roster, i.e. recommended candidates would be placed on the Roster, from which the interns shall be sourced by the projects in case of need.

Interns will coordinate their engagement with the respective heads of units or delegated staff members and will closely work with other programmes and/or projects or units in performing their functions. The successful candidate will be given the opportunity to opt for an internship assignment within a particular field/ unit. 

Summary of Key Functions:

Under the overall guidance of the supervisor and in close collaboration with the Country Office team, the Intern contributes to the effective implementation of strategies and unit plans.

Tasks will/may include but not limited to the following: 

• Provide support to the Supervisor on day-to-day coordination/ implementation and special projects management;
• Support organization of workshops, conferences, and retreats in coordination with other staff; support for international participants’ travel and logistics matters;
• Support data collection, research and analysis in relevant areas including in preparation of reports, factsheets, news articles, press releases etc. in English and/or Russian/ Kazakh;
• Active participation in the formulation of new projects with innovation and creativity;
• Support the development and appropriate use of communication and advocacy tools;
• Support the development, organization and management of meetings and special events;
• Contribute to the development of press releases for printed and online media outlets, especially on the occasion of regional projects’ activities and events;
• Contribute to the preparation of social media content, press releases, interviews, and stories for knowledge platform, the development of relevant brochures, videos, and infographics in the area of assignment;
• Draft or support drafting of blog posts and other externally-facing pieces on emerging trends in relevant field;
• Support colleagues across the organization on various programme and operations issues; 
• Provide administrative, logistical support and help desk services.
• Support partnerships-building, working closely with the Supervisor in establishing and maintaining relations with key partners;
• Undertake regular website updates;
• Provide other ad hoc support as required.

The TOR is generic and not all duties might be implemented by an intern. Specific deliverables might be added based on the projects’ needs. 

The intern will produce concrete deliverables within the scope of the specific department/ programme/ or project workplan and relevant document, contributing to the implementation of the Country Office’s relevant strategy.

Core behavioural competencies 

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

In line with the UNDP Competency Framework, any individual applying for a job at UNDP or already part of the UNDP personnel is expected to:

• demonstrate all core behavioural competencies that are required of all people at UNDP and are aligned with and driven by the organisational mission, values and culture;
• have several cross-functional competencies which are relevant for multiple job roles across career tracks and streams. Such competencies are aligned with and given the UNDP operating and funding models;
• have some technical competencies specific to an individual job in a functional area of work.

Education: Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
• Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Experience:

• Familiarity with international development/relations is desirable;
• Familiarity with the UN system in general and/or with development cooperation is an asset;
• Academic research within a relevant specific element is an asset;
• Excellent oral and writing skills is required;
• Competent user of Windows environment (MS Word, Excel, etc).

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English;
• Fluency in Kazakh or Russian is a strong asset

Conditions:

Applicants should become familiar with the internship conditions prior to signing an internship agreement. For information visit www.undp.org/internships/ 

Financial aspects, expenses and medical benefits:

• UNDP will not pay for the internship but may provide a stipend in monthly in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance for the intern or for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness during the internship period. Applicants are required to provide evidence of adequate medical insurance coverage.
• UNDP is not responsible for any claims by an intern or third party in the case of loss or damage to property or death or personal injury as a result of actions or omissions on the part of the intern during the internship period.

Working conditions:

• Interns must be provided with the workspace and equipment necessary to accomplish the activities related to internship.
• Should COVID-19 epidemiological situation worsen and restrictions are introduced, remote internship/ telecommuting shall be applied based on the project/office needs.

Further career opportunities with UN:

• The purpose of the Internship Programme is to complement to the Intern's studies, but not to lead to further employment with UN. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
• Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship.

Important note:

• Interns are considered as gratis personnel. They are not staff members.
• Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts.
• Interns may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Candidates who are shortlisted for an interview must submit prior to the interview, an official letter from the education institution confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme.

Application Procedure.

Only a successful candidate will be required to submit the following nine documents:

• A completed and signed “UNDP internship application form”;
• A copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
• A letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
• A copy of his/her school transcript or academic record book;
• A letter of recommendation from the education institution (University);
• A Medical Certificate of good health;
• Proof of medical insurance including provision for medical evacuation and removal of mortal remains or life insurance;

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.
Applications with incomplete package of documents or without documents SHALL NOT be considered.