Background

The UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development (GC-TISD) is a joint initiative by the Government of Singapore and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to identify and co-create technological and innovative solutions to help countries achieve their Sustainable Development Goals. We draw on the expertise of innovative talent in Singapore and around the world, and curate partnerships that will allow us to take this know-how to the places where it is needed most.

Our areas of focus are Sustainable and Digital Agriculture, Smart Cities and Digitalisation, and Sustainable Finance. GC-TISD leverages expertise in Singapore, as well as across the network of 90+ UNDP Accelerator Labs, and from experts and partners around the globe. For each of our programmes we are bringing together policymakers, practitioners, leading private sector actors, entrepreneurs, civil society, and other stakeholders to build practical solutions that will create lasting impact through deep collaboration.

GC-TISD seeks to recruit Interns to work on priority research projects, focusing on the areas of digitalisation, digital government, and smart cities. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Interns will support the Centre staff, contributing to one or multiple areas of work:

a) Applied research:

  • Undertake desk research to support key and priority research projects. This could include conducting virtual stakeholder interviews with experts;
  • Conducting qualitative analysis, synthesising a wide-range of information in order to highlight key conclusions and priorities for decision-makers;
  • ‘Translating’ complex and technical concepts for less-technical audiences;
  • Leading the dissemination of priority publications, including drafting blogs and other accessible outputs for global audiences.

b) Content Creation and Management:

  • Support programme teams to conceptualise and ideate all forms of content, including but not limited to blogs, videos, podcasts, infographics, newsletters, white papers, reports, thought leadership articles;
  • Develop graphic and visual content on an ongoing basis that follows the UNDP brand guidelines and supports/enhances all communications;
  • Support the team in the organisation and management of events.

c) Project Management:

  • Trusted to manage research and other projects, including day-to-day management and flagging risks to senior members of the team;
  • Delivering research and other projects on-time, and to high standards;
  • Comfortable delivering against non-moveable deadlines.

Competencies

Candidate should have the following competencies:

  • Self-starter; organized and reliable;
  • Able to multitask and balance multiple responsibilities;
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and sensitivity to differing opinions and views.

Required Skills and Experience

Interns are selected on a competitive basis. Applicants to UNDP internships must at the time of application meet one of the following academic requirements:

  • (a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  • (b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
  • (c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
  • (d) be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Education:

Please refer to the above academic requirements.

  • Preferred fields of study: Politics, international relations, development studies, economics or related fields;

Experience:

  • Demonstrated experience in conducting desk research (required);
  • Experience writing for different types of channel (e.g. reports, blogs, etc.) would be desirable;
  • Knowledge of digital technologies (desirable);
  • Experience working for international organisations is an advantage.

Languages:

  • Excellent English language skills;
  • Knowledge of additional official languages of the UN is desirable.

Application Process

  • Internship candidates are expected to submit electronically through the UNDP job portal:
    • UNDP internship application form: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/UNDP-Internship-Application.doc
    • A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • A short write-up (max. 500 words) which should mention the candidate’s motivation for applying to the position, the specific skills he/she possesses that are relevant for the role, and examples of previous work.
    • A short analysis (max. 500 words) explaining how you think technology can be both a positive and negative force for countries.

Note: UNDP internship application form, CV and write-up text need to be combined in one PDF document for upload.

Conditions of internship

Internships within the UN system are subject to following conditions, which the candidates should familiarize themselves with prior to applying:

  • UNDP GC-TISD will provide a stipend in the amount of SGD859.13 monthly in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP Internship Policy;
  • Any further costs associated with the internship must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her arrangements for travel, accommodation and other costs;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. The Intern must provide proof of enrolment in a health insurance plan;
  • UNDP does not provide assistance with travel and/or housing and the Intern will be responsible for obtaining the necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment within the UN System, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. Interns must not apply for or be appointed to a position that should be encumbered by a staff member during the period of their internship;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.

Selected candidates must submit following documents prior to joining:

  • Letter from the university confirming current enrolment and graduation date;
  • Copy of passport and Singapore visa (or visa status);
  • A copy of his/her school transcript;
  • Proof of medical insurance including provision for medical evacuation and removal of mortal remains or life insurance and a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship.
  • A signed UNDP Internship Agreement.

Note: GC-TISD will consider both duty station and home-based options for this internship. More than1 intern will be selected, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Kindly note the above documentation is required within one week after selection.