Background

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. It is 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.

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

USPC work on environmental issues started in 2017. Since then, it has evolved to encompass different processes, workstreams and partnerships. USPC has worked on projects related to waste management, wastewater management and sustainable energy. Currently, the Green Recovery and Transition team is focused on the sustainable forestry programme (including both community-based forestry and forest fire prevention) with partnerships in Albania, Cambodia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Namibia, and Zambia. The green transition and recovery portfolio is also expanding to new thematic areas such as circular economy (solid waste management, plastics, wastewater), carbon markets and energy.

You are invited to join a small, but vibrant team. Whereas the focus of your assignment will be on the tasks outlined in this Terms of Reference, you need to expect considerable amount of multi-tasking and supporting other members of the team.

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

Duties and Responsibilities

DUTIES

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

Competencies

COMPETENCIES

General:

• Takes initiative and works independently with minimum supervision;
• Upholds highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty;
• Shows excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication, and administrative skills.
• Able to multitask, balance multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines;
• Shows commitment to UNDP’s vision, mission, and strategic goals;
• Able to work in a multicultural environment and be aware of political sensitivities.

Communication Skills:

• Speaks and write clearly and effectively;
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately;
• Asks questions to receive further clarity on requests and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational and unit goals;
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise and willingness to learn from others.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants to this Internship programme must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

• currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree; or
• currently enrolled in a Master’s degree or PhD degree; or
• have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent studies.

Field of study: environmental policy/env. science/env. engineering, natural resource economics, economics, climate science, energy, international studies or related area.

Experience:

• Prior experience on environmental and climate projects and /or policy research is desirable.
• Familiarity with basic aspects of project management is desirable;
• Familiarity with issues related to green transition, development and digitalization is desirable.
• Experience writing analytical pieces on relevant issues is desirable;
• Prior experience in Korean-English translations would be an asset;
• Proficiency or prior experience in using Zoom and other digital tools would be preferable.

IT skills:

• Knowledge of/proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
• Proficient in hosting Zoom and other web-based meetings and seminars.

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required;
• Fluency in oral and written Korean is a major asset;
• Knowledge of another UN language is also an asset.

APPLICATION

To apply please include in your application one pdf file that includes:

• Your resume in a format of your choosing;
• Cover letter (max. 1 page) including information about:

• Your interest to apply for an internship with UNDP / UNDP Seoul Policy Centre;
• Your general interest in issues related to Green Recovery and Transition.

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 a reference, the stipend for 2024 is set at KRW 1,169,728 per month; the stipend amount for 2025 is subject to change); 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 (the internship opportunities are exclusively available to individuals who possess the legal right to reside and work in Korea);
• 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 a 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 is allowed for education programmes;
• Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make their 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.