UNDP is offering a 6-month internship with the Regional International Waters Team at its Istanbul Regional Hub in Istanbul, Türkiye. The intern will support research, data analysis, communication and event work for a portfolio covering transboundary water cooperation, marine litter prevention and ecosystem protection, and will receive a stipend under UN rules. Applications close on 15 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and listed every task, requirement and condition below.
Internship Overview
🏛️ Agency: UNDP
🏢 Bureau: Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS
👥 Team: Regional International Waters Team, Istanbul Regional Hub
📍 Location: Istanbul, Türkiye
🆔 Job identification: 37724
🏷️ Grade: IN
📋 Vacancy type: Internship Programme
⏱️ Contract duration: 6 months
🗣️ Required language: English
📆 Vacancy timeline: 3 Weeks
UNDP and Its Policy Work
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN's development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNDP's Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) develops policy guidance and provides technical advice to support the implementation of UNDP's Strategic Plan.
The Nature, Climate and Energy Team
Within BPPS, the Nature, Climate and Energy (NCE) Team works with governments, civil society and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies. The NCE portfolio covers:
🦋 Biodiversity and ecosystem services
🌾 Sustainable land management
🌊 Water and ocean governance
🌡️ Climate change mitigation and adaptation
☀️ Renewable energy
🧪 Chemicals and waste management
♻️ Green and circular economy approaches
The Istanbul Regional Hub
At the regional level, the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH), part of UNDP's Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS (RBEC), serves as the advisory hub for 18 countries and territories across Europe and Central Asia. The IRH's Nature, Climate and Energy Team houses the regional International Waters portfolio, which supports transboundary water cooperation, marine litter prevention and ecosystem protection across the RBEC region.
What the International Waters Portfolio Does
The regional International Waters portfolio brings together projects implemented by UNDP in cooperation with partner organisations and Country Offices across the region. These projects aim to:
🏞️ Support riparian and coastal countries in the joint management of shared river basins, lakes, aquifers and seas
🧴 Prevent and reduce pollution, including marine litter and plastic pollution
🐟 Protect and restore water-related ecosystems through improved water governance, waste management and community engagement
The projects are financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other partners and are implemented in close cooperation with regional bodies and national institutions.
Supervision and Your Place in the Team
The intern works under the supervision of the Caspian Marine Litter Project Manager and in close cooperation with the regional International Waters Team, supporting the overall International Waters portfolio of the IRH Nature, Climate and Energy Team. The intern will be an integrated member of the International Waters (IW) regional team, with the main responsibility of supporting its technical, analytical, management and communication activities.
Research and Analysis Tasks
🔍 Research, collect, analyse, synthesise and present information and data on work carried out under the International Waters portfolio across the region, including results, indicator data, lessons learned and success stories, for reporting, communication and knowledge-sharing purposes
🗄️ Maintain an up-to-date portfolio database of IW projects in the region (countries, partners, donors, budgets, timelines, key indicators and results) as a basis for analysis, reporting and communication products
📖 Review international best practices and identify relevant case studies on transboundary water governance, regional cooperation and sustainable management of shared water resources and marine ecosystems, and contribute to technical background analyses and knowledge products for the IW regional team
💡 Review relevant international practices, initiatives and funding opportunities and compile examples, data and reports that may inform resource mobilisation efforts for the regional IW portfolio
🏦 Maintain a database of financing sources and funding opportunities relevant to the IW portfolio (e.g. GEF, Adaptation Fund, GCF, EU, IFIs and bilateral donors), including calls, deadlines and eligibility criteria
📊 Process, analyse and visualise project data and indicators (e.g. using Excel, GIS or data visualisation tools) to inform analysis, reporting and knowledge products
Communication and Visibility Tasks
🧭 Review existing communication and visibility tools and platforms used by the UNDP Regional Hub and Country Offices involved in IW projects, including websites and social media, identify gaps where IW projects are not presented but could be promoted, and on this basis support the development of a communication strategy
🗺️ Support the development of data visualisation and communication products (e.g. infographics, factsheets, maps) showcasing the regional IW portfolio, projects, results and achievements
📰 Support the development of stories from countries where IW projects are implemented, for use in promoting the IW portfolio
📣 Support the development of a communication strategy for the regional IW portfolio, including recommendations for improving the presentation and promotion of IW projects through relevant UNDP platforms
🎨 Support the development of visibility guidelines for regional IW projects, taking into account UNDP and GEF branding and visibility requirements, GEF IW practices and relevant provisions in project documents and agreements with implementing partners
🗂️ Support the review, organisation and transition of relevant project communication content, including website content, to appropriate UNDP regional platforms and repositories
📱 Assist in boosting IW presence on social media and help as required with the maintenance of IW media accounts, including the website, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, etc.
✍️ Support the development of IW knowledge products (e.g. blogs, articles, briefs), including those based on cross-country analysis, lessons learned and good practices from International Waters projects in the region
🔄 Contribute to knowledge products based on cross-country analysis, lessons learned and good practices from other International Waters projects in the region
📒 Support the development and maintenance of communication logs and communication plans for IW projects
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🌍 All opportunities in Türkiye →
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Coordination and Event Support
📅 Support the organisation of meetings, webinars, regional events and other activities, including the preparation of background materials and meeting documentation
📝 Attend meetings when required and take meeting minutes
🗓️ Participate in regular regional meetings and report to the supervisor
📈 Support the preparation of quarterly and annual reports of IW projects, including baseline data collection, compilation of monitoring data and liaison with implementing Country Offices
🧩 Support other ad hoc activities as relevant and needed
Competencies UNDP Is Looking For
🤓 Intellectual curiosity and a deep desire to learn about international waters activities
🔬 Excellent research and analytical skills, verbal and written communication, and organisational skills
🌐 A desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds
🗃️ Being well organised, with the ability to multitask, including in an online or hybrid setting
🤝 Being a team player able to work productively and effectively with others
🇺🇳 Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose
Who Can Apply: Education Eligibility
At the time of application, applicants to the UNDP internship programme must meet one of the following requirements:
🎓 Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master's programme, or higher)
📚 Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as a bachelor's degree or equivalent)
🧑🎓 Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, start the internship within one year of graduation
🏫 Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme
Studies in environmental sciences or engineering, water resources management, natural resources management, international development or a related field are desirable.
Experience That Counts as an Asset
💼 Previous related work experience in a national or an international entity
🌊 Experience or academic background in International Waters, water resources management, marine and coastal environment or related technical areas
🌳 Experience in biodiversity, conservation, ecosystems and environment-related areas
📢 Experience in communication and visibility-related activities, plus familiarity with social media platforms, websites or digital media channels
📄 Experience with research, data analysis, report writing or project support
🖥️ Familiarity with data management and visualisation tools
Language Requirement
Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
What You Will Learn
🧠 A good overview of international waters project practices and a basic understanding of UNDP project management concepts
🛠️ A stronger portfolio of technical, operational and managerial skills (research and data analysis, organisation, coordination and independent thinking)
🌎 Exposure to a multicultural working environment, working with different stakeholders, peers and actors in International Waters, water governance and environmental cooperation
Stipend and Financial Conditions
💵 Since January 2020, interns receive stipends according to UN rules and regulations
📃 Internships within the UN system are subject to conditions that applicants must become familiar with before signing the internship agreement
✈️ Any further costs associated with the internship must be borne by the nominating institution, a related institution or government, which may provide financial assistance to its students, or by the student, who must obtain financing for subsistence and make their own arrangements for travel, accommodation and other costs
If you are comparing this offer with other funded placements, our guide to paid internships abroad for students and recent graduates explains how stipends and traineeship funding usually work.
How to Apply
The application should contain:
✉️ A brief cover letter in English stating your interest in and qualifications for the post, and your availability
📄 A current and complete CV in English
All documents must be combined into one single PDF document, as the system only allows one document to be uploaded.
Documents Required If You Are Selected
🏛️ An official letter from the university confirming enrolment in a graduate-level degree programme
🩺 Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location of the internship; the selected intern must have medical and life insurance
Internship Conditions
⏳ UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months
⚠️ UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents, illness or death during the internship
🪪 Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity
🛂 Interns are responsible for arranging their own visa and residence documents and need to plan for these well in advance
After the Internship
The purpose of the internship is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern's studies, so there should be no expectation of employment at the end of the internship.
Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where it operates and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to its mission, are valued, can thrive and benefit from career opportunities open to all.
Conduct, Selection and Candidate Guidance
🚫 UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority; all selected candidates undergo relevant checks and must adhere to the respective standards and principles
👥 UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy and may retain applications to consider candidates for other similar positions at the same grade level with similar job description, experience and educational requirements
🤖 Applicants are invited to read UNDP's guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
🛡️ UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process
🔒 UNDP publishes a Data Privacy Statement for applicants
Discover more placements like this in the Internship section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UNDP International Waters internship in Istanbul paid?
Yes. Since January 2020, UNDP interns receive stipends according to UN rules and regulations. Any further costs, such as travel and accommodation, are covered by the intern or a nominating institution or government.
How long does the internship last?
The contract duration is 6 months. UNDP accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.
Who can apply for this UNDP internship?
Applicants must be enrolled in a postgraduate programme, in the final year of a first university degree, recently graduated (starting within one year of graduation), or enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme. Studies in environmental sciences or engineering, water or natural resources management, international development or related fields are desirable.
Who supervises the intern?
The intern works under the supervision of the Caspian Marine Litter Project Manager, in close cooperation with the regional International Waters Team of the Istanbul Regional Hub.
What documents do I need to submit?
A brief cover letter in English stating your interest, qualifications and availability, plus a current and complete CV in English, combined into one single PDF file because the system accepts only one document.
What must selected candidates provide?
Selected candidates must submit an official university letter confirming enrolment in a graduate-level degree programme and proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the internship location.
Do I need a visa to intern in Istanbul?
Interns are responsible for arranging their own visa and residence documents and should plan for these well in advance.
Can the internship lead to a job at UNDP?
The internship is meant to complement your studies, not to lead to further employment with UNDP, so there should be no expectation of a job at the end.
Deadline
⏳ 15 November 2026
Links
Apply online: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/37724
UNDP internships information: https://www.undp.org/careers/types-of-opportunities/internships
UNDP scam alert: https://www.undp.org/scam-alert
