UNDP Washington 2025 Internships

The UNDP Washington Representation Office (WRO) serves as the primary UNDP liaison to the U.S. Congress, State Department, USAID, World Bank Group, and other multilateral and international organizations, as well as the Washington-based diplomatic community, media, and civil society. 

Application Form

Please read all instructions carefully before proceeding. 

Incomplete, partial, or late applications will not be considered

The UNDP Washington Representation Office engages interns with two profiles: (1) a General Intern;  and (2) a Communications & Outreach Intern. UNDP Washington Representation Office internships are highly competitive, with interns selected from around the world. As a UNDP Washington intern, you will observe and support UNDP's day-to-day work. As part of our team, you will be exposed to high-profile conferences, participate in meetings, and contribute to analytical and other tasks and duties.

The following minimum qualifications are required of every applicant:

• Enrollment in a graduate-level degree program in communications and/or a development-related field such as economics, public or business administration, or environmental studies. Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.
• Ability to work for three consecutive months, at least three days or 24 hours weekly. Maximum internship length is six months.
• Demonstrated interest in global development and willingness to learn.
• Interest in working on global issues and desire to work with and gain the confidence of people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and UNDP Statement of Purpose.

Language skills: Written and spoken proficiency in English.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Please e-mail all complete applications to: undp.washington@undp.org (Attention: Internship Coordinator) with copy to Ebru.Kuran@undp.org. Please include the following four (4) application materials. These should be sent by applicants (only completed applications will be considered): 
-- Cover letter 
-- Curriculum vitae (CV) (no more than 1-2 pages, please)
-- Completed and signed UNDP Application Form (see below)
-- One (1) reference letter, sent by applicant.  
 

APPLICATION SCHEDULE (all applications are strictly due by midnight EST)

***Because of the volume of applications received, the UNDP Washington Representation Office will contact only short-listed applicants.***

1. UNDP Washington General Internship:

Outstanding postgraduate students may apply for our General Internship to acquire direct exposure to UNDP's work. Internships are designed to complement, with practical experience, development-oriented studies in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation and other international studies, including law, government, and economics. In addition to the general requirements above, the following qualifications are desirable but not necessary:

• Candidates possessing Capitol Hill experience and familiarity with the US Congress are especially welcome.

• Field experience in development.

Intern tasks may include:

• Attending Congressional hearings and other public policy fora pertaining to UNDP and briefing UNDP staff.

• Receiving and responding to requests for UNDP's assistance and attention.

• Helping to plan and execute UNDP-related events.

• Updating existing media, think-tank, and government contact databases.

• Assisting UNDP staff with day-to-day operations.

   

2. UNDP Washington Communications & Outreach Internship:

Outstanding postgraduate students with excellent communications-related skills may apply for our Communications & Outreach Internship. Under supervision by the Senior Communications Adviser, the intern will provide support for communications-, advocacy, and outreach-related activities. Tasks may include:

• Helping to update the UNDP Washington Representation Office website.

• Helping to formulate and implement new communications tactics and strategies. (Audio/video recording and editing experience are a plus).

• Researching materials from the UNDP Intranet and other sources for publication and dissemination.

• Monitoring media and social media and assembling/sharing daily clips.

• Assisting in other outreach-related activities.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Excellent writing skills.

• Passion for development.

• Eagerness to learn and a positive attitude.

• Experience with news releases, newsletters, and other traditional media preferred.

• Social media management skills (e.g. Twitter, Constant Contact, Hootsuite, etc.).

• Audio/video recording and editing experience
are a plus. Familiarity with web content management systems preferred.

• Familiarity with Washington/US media preferred.

3. UNDP Internship Conditions of Service:

• In accordance with the UNDP Internship policy, UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend, with a rate that varies depending on location. The stipend will be paid monthly, and part-time internship arrangements are pro-rated accordingly. All additional expenses connected with the internship must be borne by the applicant and/or his/her/their sponsoring institution.

• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during internships, and the applicant must therefore provide proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan prior to arrival.

• Applicants are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

• In some cases, and consistent with applicable public health guidelines, interns may be offered remote or hybrid work arrangements.

• The UNDP Internship Programme is not connected with employment and implies no expectation of such. Interns may not apply for posts advertised internally to UNDP staff during the period of internship. 

Once accepted as an intern, the following additional conditions will apply:

• Conduct must at all times be compatible with responsibilities associated with a UNDP internship.

• Interns must keep confidential any and all unpublished information made known to them by the accepting office during the course of internship and must not publish any reports or papers on the basis of information obtained from the program, except with prior authorization from UNDP.

• Interns must provide written notice in case of illness and other unavoidable circumstances that might prevent them from fulfilling their internship obligations.

For more general information about UNDP internships, please visit UNDP's main website on internships.

Contact us: +1 202 524 4998 and UNDP.Washington@UNDP.org