Intern - Private Sector Partnerships

Description

BACKGROUND

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
 

CORPORATE BACKGROUND

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND

The UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC), established in 2011, represents UNDP in the Republic of Korea (ROK), works with the ROK on international development priorities, and shares the development experience and technical expertise of the ROK with other countries. As one of UNDP’s global policy centres, USPC works as a facilitator of innovative development cooperation for the achievement of the SDGs in four thematic areas of i) development cooperation modalities and approaches, ii) governance and gender, iii) green recovery and transition, and iv) private sector engagement and development.

Building on the unique development experience of the Republic of Korea and UNDP’s wide Global Policy Network, USPC facilitates knowledge exchanges of SDG-enabling development solutions in the above-mentioned thematic areas through its signature ‘SDG Partnership’ country-support programme and other initiatives, and brokers partnerships between Korea and other countries to help tackle development challenges.

The Centre’s administration work is an integral component of USPC’s work and aims to facilitate the implementation of the USPC’s programmatic works by undertaking overall administration and execution of varied and inter-related operational and logistical activities for the office.

USPC offers a small group of outstanding final-year undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UNDP’s work and gain technical knowledge and experience in international development and multilateral cooperation.

For more information on USPC’s work, please visit the website: https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/seoul.

DUTIES

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

Under the guidance of professional staff, the intern will support the Centre’s private sector engagement and development work, including the following (60%):

• Supporting to build and strengthen partnerships and facilitate knowledge exchanges among the ROK, UNDP, and developing countries, together with the private sector actors - including Korean corporations, impact startups and investors - for the achievement of the SDGs; 
• Conducting research on issues related to private sector engagement and development (e.g., SDG-aligned business strategies and solutions of the Korean businesses and impact startups, policies to support the growth of MSMEs and entrepreneurs, digital transformation, green transition, SDG financing trends, UNDP country-level projects);
• Assisting in the design and implementation of USPC’s SDG Partnership country-support programme on ‘Supporting micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises through inclusive digital transformation’;
• Assisting in the design and implementation of the Centre’s Impact Startup Accelerator in Korea, to empower impact startups;
• Supporting the organization of UNDP meetings and events (e.g., partnership consultations, knowledge sharing webinars and conferences) on issues related to private sector engagement and development.

Under the guidance of professional staff, the intern will support the Centre’s work related to communication, advocacy and outreach, with a focus on private sector outreach. Specific tasks may include (25%):

• Supporting production of USPC’s web and social media content (e.g., on X, Instagram, LinkedIn) through storytelling and visual assets;
• Supporting production of digital/multimedia materials, including an impact-centred content and regular e-newsletters;
• Supporting production of various advocacy materials such as pitch decks to promote and position UNDP as a partner of choice to potential partners;
• Drafting, copyediting and translating (from English to Korean and vice versa) various web and social media content, knowledge products, advocacy and reporting materials.

Cross-cutting tasks / Other (15%):

• Taking records of events, meetings, activities, and visits to USPC office (e.g., meeting notes, photos);
• Supporting onsite promotion in outreach activities (e.g., career fairs, booth events, etc.);
• Supporting incoming missions from UNDP HQs, Country Offices and partners to the ROK as part of SDG Partnerships and other USPC initiatives;
• Maintaining relevant files and databases (e.g., photos, videos, contacts of private sector partners);
• Performing liaison support and administrative tasks as necessary in the day-to-day office operation;
• Supporting other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.
   

COMPETENCIES

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal oriented mind-set;
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
• Strong interest and training in drafting and editing documents; 
• Demonstrated interest in the field of development; 
• Demonstrated research and analytical capacity;
• Administrative skills in the organizing of meetings and events; 
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
   

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application 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 bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
• Have recently graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
   

Field of study: international development, international relations, sociology, political science, public administration, economics, commerce, business administration, marketing, or equivalent. 

IT skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office productivity tools;
• Familiarity with social media and creative design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Photoshop) is an asset.
   

Language skills:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Korean is required;
• Fluency in other UN languages is considered an asset.
   

VISA

Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed. The internship opportunities are exclusively available to individuals who possess the legal right to reside and work in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Any applicant would need to have legal permission to carry out an internship in ROK and, for non-Korean applicants, would need to fulfill the visa requirements as set by ROK.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• UNDP will not pay interns for the internship but will provide a monthly stipend in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP internship policy (as reference, the stipend for 2026 is set at KRW 1,169,728 per month); all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern or the sponsoring government or institution;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
• Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility can be allowed for education programmes;
• Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.
• Interns will accrue leaves at a rate of 1.5 days per month and will be granted off-days on official UN holidays for the Republic of Korea. If exceptional leave arrangements are necessary, requests must be submitted to and approved by the supervisors in advance to ensure adequate office arrangements.