CORPORATE BACKGROUND

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:

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

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND

The UNDP Seoul Policy Centre for Knowledge Exchange through SDG Partnerships (USPC), established in 2011, represents UNDP in Korea, works with Korea on international issues, and shares Korea’s development experiences with other countries through global knowledge exchange. Through ‘SDG Partnerships’ in three thematic areas – i) governance, ii) resilience, and iii) development cooperation, USPC acts as a facilitator of global knowledge exchange on innovative and tested-and-proven policy solutions in strategic areas of expertise. USPC’s global knowledge exchange works as a vehicle for the RoK-UNDP collaboration on creating new solutions, building collaboration platforms, and sparking new partnerships and instruments for development.

USPC offers a small group of outstanding final year undergraduate and graduate students, the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UNDP’s work and gain technical knowledge and experience in international development and multilateral cooperation. USPC’s working language is English; and it offers an international working environment.

The internship will offer the experience of deepening one’s knowledge on various Governance issues and building the professional experience with related communications, writing as well as editing for UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, particularly for the governance programme. It will also provide exciting communication and collaboration opportunities with Korean government and non-government institutions, as well as with overseas UNDP offices and their national partners in various countries around the world such as Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Bhutan, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, and Malaysia. The internship will help refine the communications and writing skills in the field of international development—which will strengthen the candidate’s core skills for any career in the future. 

For more information on USPC’s work, please visit the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre’s website: Home (undp.org)

• Demonstrates interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
• Has good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
• Is comfortable with ambiguity and effectively manages juggling multiple tasks;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
• Demonstrates interest in the field of development, particularly in the area of governance;
• Demonstrates research and analytical capacity;
• Has Administrative skills in the organizing of meetings and events;
• Demonstrates ability to manage diverse and complex tasks with tight deadlines and is good at organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
• Understands and appreciates issues from the perspective of others;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Is outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set;
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability, treats all individuals with respect, considers ethical implications and responds sensitively to all differences among people;
• Acts in a way that demonstrates empathy and emotional intelligence, showing consideration for the needs and feelings of others;
• Fully accepts and values all people and understands that inclusion is multi-faceted and treats everyone fairly and equally;
• Demonstrates honesty and transparency;
• Demonstrates and encourages teamwork and co-creation, internally or externally, to achieve joint objectives and results.

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree; or
• currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or
• have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent studies.

Field of study: Social science area e.g. international development, international relations, political science, human rights, gender studies, public administration, journalism, communications or equivalent.

IT skills:

• Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
• Proficient in hosting zoom and other web-based meetings and seminars;
• Skills in Visual Communication and Graphic Design would be an advantage.

Language skills:

• English required (fluent).
• Proven experience in editing/copyediting/proofreading documents preferably on development policy, governance or similar would be an asset.
• Knowledge of Korean and other UN languages (particularly French or Spanish) is an advantage.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• UNDP will not pay for internship but will provide a stipend in the amount of KRW 1,099,827 (One Million Ninety Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Seven Won Only) monthly in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship policy; all other expenses connected with it will be borne by the intern or sponsoring Government or institution of the intern;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
• Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
• Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.
• Interns will accrue leaves at a rate of 1.5 days per month and will be granted off-days on official UN holidays for the Republic of Korea. If exceptional leave arrangements are necessary, requests must be submitted to and be approved by the supervisors in advance to ensure adequate office arrangements.