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 (USPC), established in 2011, represents UNDP in Korea, works with Korea on international issues, and shares Korea’s development experiences with other countries. It is one of UNDP’s seven global policy centres. USPC works as a facilitator of innovative development cooperation for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in four thematic areas of i) development cooperation modalities and approaches, ii) governance and gender, iii) green recovery and transition, and iv) private sector engagement.

Building on the unique development experience of the Republic of Korea and UNDP’s wide Global Policy Network, USPC facilitates knowledge exchanges of SDG-enabling development solutions in the above-mentioned thematic areas through its signature ‘SDG Partnership’ country-support programme and other initiatives, and brokers partnerships between Korea and other countries to help tackle development challenges.

The Centre’s governance and gender work is an integral component of USPC’s programmatic work and aims to i) enhance the visibility and recognition of USPC, UNDP and its work by raising awareness and promoting dialogue and cooperation on the SDG 16 both within and outside of Korea and ii) build and strengthen partnerships, with a focus on i) anti-corruption and ii) sexual and gender-based violence in Korea and elsewhere.

USPC offers a small group of outstanding final-year undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates 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 website: http://www.undp.org/seoul-policy-centre.

DUTIES

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

COMPETENCIES AND ATTITUDE

• 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 an 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.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• UNDP will not pay interns for the internship but will provide a monthly stipend in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP internship policy (as reference, the stipend for 2023 is set at KRW 1,169,728.56 per month; the stipend amount for 2024 is subject to change); all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or the sponsoring government or institution;
• 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 a 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 their 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 approved by the supervisors in advance to ensure adequate office arrangements. 

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

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 of / proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
• Proficient in hosting Zoom and other web-based meetings and seminars;
• Skills in Visual Communication and Graphic Design (including Canva) 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.