Paid UNDP Internship: Join UNDP as a Global Development Partnership Intern

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Closing Date: 31 March 2025

Paid UNDP Internship: Join UNDP as a Global Development Partnership Intern

Background

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China is the China country office of the United Nations Development Programme – the global development network of the United Nations. UNDP has been working in China for over 40 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development. UNDP continues to be at the forefront of initiatives with China both to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) domestically and through China’s international development cooperation.

Under the UNDP Country Programme Document for China (2021-2025) as guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021-2025), UNDP provides technical advice to international development cooperation institutions in China to strengthen their support to the SDGs in partner countries, promoting green and inclusive development benefiting the most vulnerable. As part of this, UNDP work involves shaping the policy discourse and practices in China’s development cooperation by providing policy and technical guidance on alignment with international best practices and norms.

Specifically, by facilitating policy dialogues, joint research, and technology transfer, UNDP supports demand-based and two-way knowledge exchanges for China to share its development experience with countries of the global south and vice-versa. Activities and initiatives are led by the Strategic Partnership and Policy team.

UNDP China office is hiring an intern to provide support to the Strategic Partnership and Policy team and activities specifically related to a project aimed at generating knowledge products, dialogues and sharing sessions to strengthen effectiveness of China’s international development cooperation and coordination of its engagements with other key stakeholders (see here for more information.

The candidate will be sitting within the Strategic Partnership and Policy team. The Global Development Partnership intern is expected to assist in facilitating project management through cross-team work and in coordination with multiple stakeholders involved in the project (e.g., UN Agencies, UNDP Country Offices, national and international stakeholders etc.), as well as conduct analytical work on relevant fields.

Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Global Development Partnership Intern is expected to perform the following responsibilities in close collaboration with the Project Associate and the Project Fellow:

Support Project Management & Coordination
- Contribute to organization and coordination of engagements and events, engaging Chinese and development partners and UN agencies, including but not limited to logistic and administrative support, agenda design, invitation and tracking, speeches, knowledge products and event-based communication contents for press release, social media, etc.
- Support various document preparation such as the Terms of References, activity agenda presentation, and memos in line with UNDP’s corporate policies.
- Coordinate meeting schedules, and support drafting of briefing notes and meeting minutes in an accurate, organized, and concise manner.
- Support work around progress reporting, financing, monitoring and communications.
- Provide translation or interpretation where needed.
Support Research and Policy
- Support research outputs and analytical work through data analysis and literature review on South-South Cooperation, China’s international development cooperation for SDG attainment.
- Support compilation and development of knowledge products under the relevant project, including but not limited to mappings and case studies.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

Enrolled in a Master’s programme; or
In the final year of a Bachelor’s programme;
Or within one year after graduation from a Bachelor’s or a Master’s programme.
Majors in International Relations, International Development, International Communication, Public Policy, Economics, SDG Finance, or other related fields. An advanced university degree is an asset.
Familiarity with UN work, South-South Cooperation and international development is required.

Language and Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Good English-Chinese bi-directional translation and/or interpretation skills.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office software package (MS Excel, Word, etc.).

UNDP Internship Conditions

Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan and medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. Any cost arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
The stipend will be paid monthly. Interns will have 1.5 days of leave per month.
Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed; Cost and arrangement for travel, visas, passports, accommodations and living expenses are the responsibility of the nominating institution, related institution, or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or the intern.