Internship Programme
Objective:
The UNDP CO Internship Programme offers a small group of outstanding university students and graduates the opportunity to acquire experience working as interns. The programme provides the opportunity to contribute to the country’s development efforts and gain understanding of UNDP’ s development policies, thematic priorities, and technical cooperation activities with practical experience in an international work environment.
The Programme encourages applications by university students and graduates with disabilities. To this end, the programme will provide certain reasonable accommodations to successful applicants, adjusted according to individual needs and in the context with the resources of the programme.
What to expect:
Supervision in development practices
- Enhanced or marketable job skills in the development field
- Be part of a world knowledge network of development practitioners
- Assisting in preparing and participation in workshops/seminars
- Research work on development subjects
- Cataloging information and writing documents
- Preparing knowledge stories and best development practices
The internship is not intended to lead to further employment within the UN system, but to complement the intern’s studies or provide additional job experience.
Eligibility Criteria:
The following minimum qualifications are required:
- University graduate degree and enrollment in postgraduate Master degree programme in a development-related field such as economics, international relations, sociology, public or business administration, political sciences or environmental studies;
- Language proficiency in English.
- Computer literacy in standard software applications;
- Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of UN Charter;
- Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and to be tolerant of differing opinions and views;
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
Duration of internship:
Assignments may vary in length, according to availability and academic requirements as well as the needs of the UNDP CO. The recommended length for internship is 2 months. However, they will normally last no less than six weeks and no more than six months.
UNDP offers part-time or full-time (5 days/week, 40 hours/week) internships throughout the year.
Health and Medical Insurance:
UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs or hardships arising from illness or accidents incurred during the internship. Interns must therefore carry adequate and regular medical and life insurance.
Proof of medical coverage/visa must be provided before the internship commences.
Financial Aspects:
The internship programme operates on a non-salaried basis. The subsistence and travel costs connected with the internship Programme must be borne by interns or by other institutions. International Interns are responsible for arranging their own initial travel to Skopje and accommodations there.
Applicants for internships must sign a “Conditions governing the internship” form before starting internship.
If work-related travel within the country is requested by UNDP during the internship period, per diem and travel costs shall be paid by UNDP.
Application process:
Eligible candidates interested in doing an internship with UNDP, can apply for the available internship vacancies by submitting online the following documents:
- a duly completed UNDP internship application form;
- a brief paper setting out the reasons why s/he is seeking an internship with UNDP and what is expected from the experience. The applicants are asked to do so carefully in order to enhance the value of the internship for both themselves and the receiving UNDP department.
- an updated CV;
In addition, if selected, the intern will need to submit:
- a letter from her / his university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
- a letter of endorsement from a senior faculty member who has directly supervised the student in the recent past and who is fully acquainted with the student’s performance;
- Proof of medical coverage/visa must be provided before the internship commences.
Selection process:
All applications for internship at UNDP are kept in an internal on-line database open for review by professional staff looking for suitable interns.
Please note that sending the application shall not necessarily lead to the placement into internship programme, only selected candidates will be contacted.
Status of an Intern:
Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement the intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship. There must be minimum 3 months break after internship before any type of UNDP contract is signed. UN Office of Legal Affairs strongly discourages any practice involving sending UN interns on field activities or official trips.
For a current Open Internship click here