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

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 development cooperation work is an integral component of USPC’s programmatic work, and aims to i) identify, implement and disseminate practices and lessons learned as to how development cooperation could be undertaken better and ii) build and strengthen relations with Korean and other international development cooperation actors to establish innovative partnerships that address shared challenges such as achieving digital transformation and green transition.

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 AND RESPONSIBILITIES

COMPETENCIES

General:

• Takes initiative and works independently with minimum supervision;
• Upholds highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty;
• Shows excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication, and administrative skills;
• Able to multitask, balance multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines;
• Shows commitment to UNDP’s vision, mission, and strategic goals;
• Able to work in a multicultural environment and be aware of political sensitivities.

Communication Skills:

• Speaks and write clearly and effectively;
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately;
• Asks questions to receive further clarity on requests and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational and unit goals;
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise and willingness to learn from others.

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 per month; stipend amount for 2024 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 own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, and other issues;
• Interns will accrue leave 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 supervisor in advance to ensure adequate office arrangements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

Applicants to this Internship programme must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

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

Field of study: Development studies, international relations, economics, politics, environmental studies, or other relevant fields of study.

Experience:

• Familiarity with basic aspects of project management is desirable;
• Familiarity with issues related to broader development cooperation issues and/or the sectoral areas of green transition and digitalization is desirable;
• Experience writing analytical pieces on relevant issues is highly desirable;
• Proficiency or prior experience in using Zoom and other digital tools would be preferable;
• Prior experience with the multilateral system or with a bilateral donor agency is desirable;
• Familiarity with artificial intelligence and automation such as GPT-4 to generate ideas, analyze and summarize large amounts of data is desirable;
• Knowledge in programming languages such as Python, R, and SQL is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required;
• Fluency in oral and written Korean is a major asset;
• Knowledge of another UN language is also an asset.

APPLICATION

To apply please include in your application one pdf file that includes:

• Your resume in a format of your choosing.
• Cover letter (max. 1 page) including information about:
  • Your interest to apply for an internship with UNDP / UNDP Seoul Policy Centre;
  • Your general interest in issues related to digitalization, and/or aid effectiveness, South-South, and Triangular Cooperation.