UNDP Digital Transformation Internship: Global Call for 2025

At UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), we are on a mission to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions around the world. UNDP is the United Nations’ global sustainable development organization working across 170 countries with 17,000 staff.

Digital technology is one of the most fundamental drivers of change this century. Digital not only provides new opportunities and challenges for development, but it is also fundamentally changing the context in which development is taking place. Since the launch of its first Digital Strategy in 2019, UNDP has been on an ambitious transformation journey to harness the potential of digital technology for development. We are now in the next phase of our digital transformation, implementing the UNDP Digital Strategy 2022-2025, which puts forth a vision to create a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and planet.

The Chief Digital Office (CDO) at UNDP is leading this effort with the goal of embedding digital technology in the development projects that we implement, supporting government partners to build inclusive digital eco-systems, and transforming the organization internally to enable these changes.

Please note that the start date is flexible, and needs based. We will be receiving applications on a rolling basis until September 30th, 2025, and successful applicants can hear back any time between March 1st and the end of 2025. 

Please read the instructions carefully to complete your application.

We are looking for motivated interns who can support our work, on a part-time or full-time basis, in any of the following areas listed below:

Digital Transformation: Inclusive Digital Ecosystems:

• Support the shaping of local digital ecosystems, to ensure a rights-based and inclusive approach to digital development within and beyond countries
• Support the implementation of inclusive, equitable and secure digital & data public infrastructure through the whole of society transformation approach to tech layers including the systemic role of digital public goods, robust accountabilities in the governance frameworks around digital public goods, and the community engagement to catalyzing innovation and safeguards of the digital public infrastructures
• Support in primary research and/or content review on digital topics such as inclusive connectivity, digital inclusion, ethical technology, AI etc.
• Knowledge management by collecting and disseminating digital-related thought pieces produced across the organization
• Internal coordination on thought leadership work with other UNDP units, and provide substantive inputs as appropriate
• Support advocacy by developing digestible content in support of social media assets, blogs, talking points, briefing notes, etc., in close collaboration with the comms team

Digital Transformation: Country Office Support & Capacity Building:

• Support in the assessment of countries’ digital and AI readiness, project management and operations implementation
• Support Country Offices with tasks related to the development of national Data strategies, data governance frameworks, and national AI strategies, including project management and operational implementation
• Support the work of making Digital, including Data and AI, capacity building resources more accessible and usable for governments
• Provide support for key programmatic initiatives around AI and Data, including multilingualism in AI, green computing, AI talent development, and AI trust and safety
• Support the ongoing development of tools, products, and solutions to empower governments to implement practical initiatives that are inclusive of the whole society
• Provide support for country offices that request partnership-related services
• Support the development and delivery of a digital-skills programme for all UNDP personnel

Digital Transformation: UNDP Digital Strategy Development & Implementation:

• Support the global positioning of UNDP’s thought and practice leadership, including its engagement in various alliances and networks, by conducting research on key digital topics, analyzing information and synthesizing it into a clear summary for Chief Digital Officer and other UNDP senior leadership
• Support the management, coordination, and content maintenance of UNDP’s digital guides webpage together with relevant stakeholders across UNDP.
• Contribute to the design of UNDP’s digital capacity footprint and support parts of the subsequent implementation and business processes
• Provide front-office support to the Chief Digital Officer and his Special Assistant through strategic management of the Chief Digital Officer’s internal and external engagements; Support the drafting of speeches and briefs on UNDP’s digital support to governments for the Chief Digital Officer as necessary
• Analyze progress of UNDP’s Digital Strategy implementation through rigorous analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and evaluating monitoring and reporting processes within the Chief Digital Office, and proposing improvements in their design and implementation processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness

Business Operations (People Operations/Procurement/Finance/Internal Processes):

• Assist the Operations Unit in completing one of the above areas of work while tracking its progress
• Support the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Resourcing Plans, monitor progress and make suggestions for overcoming bottlenecks
• Assist in the Operations and Programme Units in the organization of meetings, workshops, travel, and other such events
• Assist the Chief Digital Office team in ensuring compliance with Procurement and Recruitment policies
• Draft and update the team’s best practices to develop and drive new projects for the improvement of operations
• Identify inefficiencies, think strategically, and develop actionable plans to eliminate obstacles and boost productivity

Thought Leadership, Engagement and Partnerships and Strategic Communications:

• Research potential new partners including technology companies, foundations, non-profits, alliances, etc., and help identify new opportunities and areas of collaboration
• Support strategic communications, outreach to and engagement of partners, and subsequent partnership development, including drafting concept notes, communications materials, proposals, pitch decks, project documents, memorandum of understanding (MoU), outreach materials and other documents.
• Support engagement in global, multilateral and UN interagency processes, including through drafting statements and speeches, attending meetings at the UN, and helping to organize meetings and events.
• Support UNDP positioning and thought leadership on digital, including through conducting research, compiling information on, and analyzing key technology and digital issues, particularly related to digital development, transformation and capacity-building
• Support strategic communications by planning and producing compelling content for communications channels like social media, newsletters, blogs and internal UNDP platforms
• Support with research and mapping of key media outlets, influential potential content partners, and trending topics in digital & technology

Product Design, Build, and Management (including AI tools):

• Support the design of digital products such as apps, platforms, web apps, and AI tools to enable UNDP’s work in countries, working with ‘client’ teams to define success and product requirements.
• Support the scoping, and proposal writing for new digital products for UNDP thematic teams.
• Support the building of digital products, including working with software developers, client teams, and product managers.
• Conduct user testing and improvement of digital products.
• Support the implementation of digital products in countries, working with local implementation teams and UNDP thematic teams to ensure quality delivery and outcomes.

UNDP Transformation: Change Management:

• Support the management of UNDP Communities of Practice to facilitate knowledge exchange and skill development.
• Assist in tracking and analyzing progress on UNDP’s Digital Transformation initiatives.
• Contribute to internal communications by designing emails, preparing meeting invitations, and maintaining the knowledge database.
• Support efforts to integrate digital tools into UNDP programs by contributing to knowledge products, external digital initiatives, and information-sharing processes.

• Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Other competencies:

• Database management skills.
• Detail-oriented, preferably with previous administrative and office management experience.
• Eager to learn new things and gradually adapt the theory into practical work.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to deliver in a high-pressure environment
• Ability to handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously, mixing long-term projects with the urgency of immediate demands.
• Ability to collaborate with and achieve actionable results
• Excellent ability to multi-task in a high-demand and fast-paced work context
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), or.
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (undergraduate; minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
• Have graduated with a university degree (first university degree, or second university degree or equivalent, or higher) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

Interest/Experience in one of the above mentioned workstreams is desirable.

HOW TO APPLY:

The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English)
• A current and complete CV (Curriculum Vitae) in English.
• Complete this form https://airtable.com/appts0LUHAjX1vdFx/shrBqXgmnXOQkCiDR in addition to submitting your details via the UNDP vacancy link

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In case an applicant is successfully selected, they will be requested to provide electronic versions of:

• Letter from their university confirming current enrollment and graduation date.
• Copy of their most recent school transcript.
• Copy of passport.
• Visa copy- If the candidate is located in the USA (United States of America)
• Signed UNDP Internship Agreement.
• Medical Certificate of Good Health.
• Proof of Medical Insurance.

UNDP Terms & Conditions for Internship  

• In accordance with the UNDP Internship policy, UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend, with the rate that varies depending on the duty location. The stipend will be paid monthly, and part-time /Remote internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
• Except for the stipend, all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring the government or institutions.
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.
• The intern must provide proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan.
• Interns are not considered staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity
• Due to the high volume of applications received, we can ONLY contact successful candidates
• UNDP Internship Policy
• Send your queries to Join.Digital@undp.org