The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is recruiting two interns for Effective Development Cooperation, based in Geneva, Switzerland or home-based. The internship lasts 6 months, comes with a monthly UNDP stipend, and supports the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC) within the OECD-UNDP Joint Support Team. Applications close on 10 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full vacancy, and every detail it contains is laid out below.
The Vacancy at a Glance
🆔 Job Identification: 37749
📍 Location: Geneva, Switzerland, or home-based
👥 Positions: 2
🏛️ Agency: UNDP
🏷️ Grade: IN
📂 Vacancy Type: Internship Programme
🧭 Practice Area: Effectiveness
🏢 Bureau: Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy
⏱️ Contract Duration: 6 months
🗣️ Required Languages: English
💬 Desired Languages: French or Spanish
📆 Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks
Geneva or Home-Based: Two Ways to Do the Internship
The vacancy title describes the post as "Switzerland or Home-based", with Geneva listed as the location. The two interns can therefore be based in Geneva or carry out the internship from home.
UNDP in About 170 Countries and Territories
Working in about 170 countries and territories, UNDP supports governments in developing strong policies, institutions and partnerships to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It does this in part through its comprehensive knowledge network, which includes expert practitioners who provide focused advice and support in strategic policy areas.
Where the Team Sits: BERA and the OECD-UNDP Joint Support Team
The team draws on UNDP's comparative advantages in strengthening country capacities to manage and coordinate development cooperation. It is situated within the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) and supports the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation, as part of the OECD-UNDP Joint Support Team (JST).
What Guides UNDP's Effective Development Cooperation Work?
UNDP's work in this area is guided by the principles of effective development cooperation. In concrete terms, it:
🌐 Supports global policy dialogue and mutual learning on effective development cooperation
📊 Helps increase the availability of transparent data on development cooperation
🧭 Supports countries in implementing and monitoring the effective development cooperation principles
🤝 Cultivates networks of partners and development practitioners, another key element of UNDP's support to the GPEDC
Who Supervises the Two Interns?
Both interns work under the overall guidance of the GPEDC Senior Team. One intern works under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist, and the other under the direct supervision of the Partnership and Advocacy Specialist. Both interns ensure day-to-day reporting to the relevant team members responsible for specific thematic areas.
How the Workload Is Split
The tasks fall into three blocks with fixed weights:
📚 Policy Analysis and Secretariat Support: 40%
📣 Communications and Advocacy Support for Monitoring: 40%
🎪 Events Liaison: 20%
Policy Analysis and Secretariat Support (40%)
🔬 Support the activities of the 2027-2029 Work Programme as part of the OECD-UNDP Joint Support Team, including researching trends in development effectiveness and cooperation, and identifying linkages and key areas of support for UNDP's work in advancing the global development effectiveness agenda for 100 countries
📝 Contribute to the Global Partnership monitoring exercise and its 5th monitoring round, through policy research and the development of policy and practice products such as briefs, discussion papers, country stories, blog posts and practice notes
🚀 Support the roll-out of the 5th GPEDC monitoring exercise, including drafting briefing and guidance materials, communicating with participating governments and supporting related meetings with stakeholders
🗂️ Provide administrative and analytical support to the JST's follow-up with partner countries and other stakeholders, including data analysis, drafting analytical products and knowledge management practices
The 5th GPEDC Monitoring Round
The 5th monitoring round runs through both of the larger task blocks. On the policy side, the interns contribute research and products to the monitoring exercise and help with its roll-out to participating governments. On the communications side, they help implement the launch plan of the 5th Monitoring Round.
Communications and Advocacy Support for Monitoring (40%)
📰 Support the implementation of the 5th Monitoring Round launch plan, including drafting newsletters, blogs, video interviews, stories of progress, key messages, talking points and social media content, and updating the official Trello board
💻 Support website updates, help maintain the data visualization platform and the monitoring of the Global Dashboard
📱 Draft and publish on GPEDC's official social media platforms (X and LinkedIn) in line with UNDP guidelines, and update the GPEDC official Trello Board
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Events Liaison (20%)
🛎️ Provide logistical support to annual events, international workshops, side events, regional monitoring webinars, Steering Committee meetings and other events led by the GPEDC team
✉️ Draft emails and help with event briefings and other events-related communications with multiple partners, including the OECD and GPEDC Steering Committee members, particularly the partner countries
Competencies UNDP Expects
🗓️ Excellent organizational, event planning and time management skills
🔍 Keen attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
🎯 Ability to work independently, observe deadlines and achieve results
📖 Good research and information gathering skills, with a track record in producing development research and other materials
🤝 Team player who works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
🗣️ Excellent communication skills in English, written and oral
🌱 Enthusiasm and commitment to learning
💙 Commitment to UNDP's vision, mission and values
Academic Eligibility: Four Routes Into the Programme
To be eligible for the UNDP internship programme, applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application:
🎓 Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (a Master's programme or higher) in Development Studies, Economics, Public Administration, International Relations or a related field
📘 Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (a Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in one of the same fields
📜 Have recently graduated with a university degree as defined in the two points above and, if selected, start the internship within one year of graduation
🏫 Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme in Development Studies, Economics, Public Administration, International Relations or a related field, and undertake the internship as part of this programme
Practical Skills and Experience
Required:
🖥️ Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools
🌐 Strong online research skills
📈 Familiarity with social media scheduling, monitoring and analytics tools
Assets:
🎨 Skills in graphic design and video production, as well as advanced Excel, database management and Power BI
📢 Experience supporting communications campaigns, events or digital outreach activities
✍️ Experience supporting social media content creation and management
🧠 Previous experience in research and policy development, communications, advocacy or large-scale event planning
🔗 Knowledge of, or direct experience working with, effective development co-operation issues
Desirable:
🌍 Experience working in developing countries
Language Requirements
🇬🇧 Fluency in spoken and written English is required
🗨️ Knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset
Is the Internship Paid?
Yes. In accordance with the UNDP Internship policy, UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend, at a rate that varies depending on the duty location. The stipend is paid monthly, and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly. The vacancy does not publish the rate itself. If you are comparing this kind of placement with a university-funded mobility, it helps to understand how paid internships abroad and funded traineeships work.
When an Institution or Government Already Funds You
Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP pays the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
Costs the Intern Covers
Except for the stipend, all other expenses connected with the internship are borne by the intern, the sponsoring government or institutions.
How to Apply
Your application must include the following documents:
📄 An updated CV with your contact details (email and telephone number)
💌 A motivation letter for the internship
Combine both into one single PDF document, as the system only allows a single document to be uploaded. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Documents Requested After Selection
Selected candidates will be asked to submit electronic versions of:
🏛️ A letter from the university confirming current enrolment and graduation date, and, for graduates, a copy of the certificate of graduation (the internship must start within one year of graduation)
👩🏫 A letter of endorsement or recommendation from a professor
📑 A copy of a recent school transcript
🛂 A copy of a passport or national identification card
🩺 A recent Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician
🏥 Proof of medical insurance cover (medical, accident and repatriation) valid for the duration of the internship programme
UNDP Rosters and Similar Positions
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. It may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level, with a similar job description and similar experience and educational requirements.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at UNDP
Diversity, equity and inclusion are core principles at UNDP. The organisation values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where it operates, fosters inclusion so that all personnel are empowered to contribute to its mission, and ensures equity and fairness in all its actions. Taking a "leave no one behind" approach means increasing the representation of underserved populations, and people who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Zero Tolerance and Background Checks
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, or discrimination. It has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment and abuse of authority. All selected candidates therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks and are expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
Scam Warning: No Fees at Any Stage
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you receive a request to pay a fee, disregard it. Emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced, so take particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Our guide on how we verify every opportunity we list explains the checks behind listings like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do this UNDP internship from home?
Yes. The vacancy is titled "Switzerland or Home-based", so the internship can be carried out in Geneva or from home. Geneva is listed as the duty location.
How many interns is UNDP hiring?
Two. One intern works under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist and the other under the Partnership and Advocacy Specialist, both under the overall guidance of the GPEDC Senior Team.
How long does the internship last?
The contract duration is 6 months.
What is the GPEDC?
The Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation is the partnership that this team supports as part of the OECD-UNDP Joint Support Team, located within UNDP's Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy.
What will I mainly work on?
The work splits into policy analysis and secretariat support (40%), communications and advocacy support for monitoring (40%) and events liaison (20%), with a strong focus on the 5th GPEDC monitoring round.
Do I need to be a student to apply?
You need to be enrolled in a Master's or higher programme, in the final year of a Bachelor's degree, in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme, or a recent graduate who can start within one year of graduation. The field should be Development Studies, Economics, Public Administration, International Relations or a related area.
Which languages are required?
Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset.
Is the internship paid?
Yes. UNDP interns are eligible for a monthly stipend whose rate depends on the duty location, prorated for part-time arrangements. All other expenses are borne by the intern, a sponsoring government or institutions.
What do I upload when applying?
An updated CV with your email and telephone number, plus a motivation letter, combined into a single PDF, because the system accepts only one document.
What happens if I am selected?
You will be asked for a university enrolment or graduation letter, a professor's recommendation letter, a recent transcript, a passport or ID copy, a medical certificate of good health and proof of medical, accident and repatriation insurance.
Will every applicant hear back?
No. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Does UNDP charge any fee?
No. The United Nations charges no application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee, and any such request should be disregarded.
Find more placements like this one in the Internship category on Youth Works Hub.
Deadline
⏳ 10 November 2026
Link
📝 Online application: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/37749
