Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

 

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.”

The Centre’s outreach and partnerships work is an integral component of USPC’s programmatic work, and aims to enhance the visibility and recognition for USPC, UNDP and its SDG partnerships by raising awareness and promoting dialogue and cooperation on the SDGs both within and outside of Korea among state and non-state development actors (including the private sector, civil society, academia, youth groups etc.). 

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.

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

 

Duties and Responsibilities

No

Duties and responsibilities

% of time

1

Under the guidance of professional staff, the intern will support the Centre’s work related to communication, advocacy and outreach. Specific tasks may include:

  • Supporting communications work through social media postings, web content production, media outreach, and other public information work.
  • Supporting the production of visual advocacy materials (e.g. videos, newsletters, brochures, reporting documents, knowledge products, promotional items).
  • Supporting the organization of outreach and representation meetings, webinars and other events, such as the national launch of the Human Development Report.
  • Translating publications, web and social media content, and other materials from English to Korean and vice-versa.

 

40%

2

Under the guidance of professional staff, the intern will support the Centre’s private sector engagement work, including the following:

  • Facilitating and strengthening knowledge exchanges among Korea, UNDP, and developing countries on key development issues involving the private sector(e.g. corporations and young entrepreneurs) for achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Conducting research on issues related to private sector partnership and development (e.g. SDG-aligned business strategies, SDG financing, entrepreneurial ecosystem development).
  • Supporting the organization of meetings and events, such as webinars and consultations on youth and private sector engagement.
  • Supporting the production of various outreach and reporting materials (e.g. pitch decks, advocacy materials) and knowledge products for the Centre’s engagement with non-state development actors, particularly the private sector.

 

40%

3

Cross-cutting tasks / Other:

  • Taking notes during events, meetings and conference calls.
  • Maintaining relevant files and databases (e.g. photos, videos, contacts of reporters and private sector partners).
  • Performing liaison support and administrative tasks as necessary in the day-to-day office operation.
  • Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.

20%

Competencies

  • Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
  • Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
  • Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal oriented mind-set;
  • Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
  • Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
  • Strong interest and training in drafting and editing documents;
  • Demonstrated interest in the field of development;
  • Demonstrated research and analytical capacity;
  • Administrative skills in the organizing of meetings and events;
  • Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

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: international development, international relations, sociology, political science, public administration, economics, business administration, commerce, communication and media, journalism, public relations, or equivalent.

IT skills:

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office productivity tools;
  • Proficiency in social media and using creative design and editing software (e.g. Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere).

Language skills:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English required;
  • Knowledge of Korean and other UN languages 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.