Background

The UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development 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. 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.

Sustainable and Digital Agriculture

By 2050, the world’s population is estimated to rise to 9.7 billion and feeding it will require increasing food production by 70%. However, global agri-food systems need transformation. Almost 80% of the world’s poor live in rural areas and mostly depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture directly and indirectly contributes around a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture is also the major cause of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss globally.

The Global Centre is engaged in exploring, implementing, and scaling digital solutions to make agri-food systems sustainable and resilient. This includes leveraging emerging digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT). Technology is increasingly playing an important role in improving agricultural productivity, reducing the need of agricultural inputs, increasing incomes of smallholder farmers, preventing food loss and waste, and enabling greater inclusion of disadvantaged groups including women farmers.

The Global Centre seeks to an Intern to support the programme development, partnership development and communications activities of the Centre. The Intern will be given the opportunity to work on assignments that complement their academic studies and connect with the thematic focus of the Centre.

Duties and Responsibilities

Intern will be responsible for the following:

  • Thematic desk research and writing assignments on various topics under Sustainable and Digital Agriculture, including on agri-food tech trends and developments, and press releases or articles that feature the work under this focus area;
  • Developing concept notes on initiatives aligned with the workstream;
  • Editing articles, briefs, documents, and other relevant written work;
  • Research and outreach for partnership development with actors in the agri-food space, including for existing and potential partners;
  • Developing simple multimedia content and collaterals for the Centre’s website, social media platforms, and other outreach platforms;
  • Assisting in the reviewing of strategies, programme design, and workplans for initiatives under the workstream;
  • Event management support for the Centre’s activities (in person and online);
  • Ad-hoc support to the GCTISD Director and staff.

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: engineering and technology (computer science; electrical and electronics); public policy; development studies.

Experience:

  • Excellent and proven writing and desk research skills are required;
  • Knowledge of digital technologies including emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, IoT, and their application for sustainable development is desirable;
  • Experience working on agricultural projects or with agritech-focused venture capital firms or startups is desirable;
  • Computer literacy in standard office software applications is essential;
  • Experience with social media and graphic design software is an added advantage;
  • Familiarity with international development and public service challenges is an added advantage.

Languages:

  • Excellent English language skills.
  • Knowledge of a second language is desirable.

Application Process

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 SGD 859.13 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.

Kindly note the above documentation is required within one week after selection.

 

Note: GC-TISD will consider both duty station and home-based options for this internship. Only short-listed candidates will be contracted.