Digital Transformation Internship: Global Call for 2024

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the development arm of the United Nations. Present in 170 countries with over , UNDP works on the world’s biggest problems: extreme poverty, climate change, good governance, renewable energy, crisis prevention, and women’s empowerment, among others. 

Are you ready to put your digital knowledge and skills to work in solving some of humanity’s greatest challenges?

Emerging and future digital technologies are one of the most profound drivers of change globally. Recognizing that these technologies bring both opportunities to accelerate progress in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as presenting challenges to development, UNDP has been undergoing an organization-wide digital transformation since 2019. UNDP’s digital transformation seeks to help create a world in which digital is an empowering force for people and planet.

Our  aims to support our partner countries to unlock the power of digital to tackle these pressing issues. The strategy lays out UNDP’s ambition to use a rights-based approach to digital technologies to improve our development results and help build inclusive digital ecosystems globally that leave no one behind. 

Please note that the start date is flexible, and needs based. We will be receiving applications on a rolling basis until September 30th, 2024, and successful applicants can hear back any time between April 1st and the end of 2024.

Please read the instructions carefully to complete your application.

Duties and Responsibilities

We are looking for motivated interns who can support our work in any of the following workstreams listed below. Please indicate in your application which workstream (maximum 3) you have the most experience and interest in. Indicate your 3 areas of interest using the  indicated under “Application Process”.

Digital Transformation: Inclusive Digital Ecosystems

Support the shaping of local digital ecosystems, to ensure a rights-based and inclusive approach to digital development within and beyond countries

Support the implementation of inclusive, equitable and secure digital & data public infrastructure through the whole of society transformation approach to tech layers including the systemic role of digital public goods, robust accountabilities in the governance frameworks around digital public goods, and the community engagement to catalyzing innovation and safeguards of the digital public infrastructures

Support in primary research and/or content review on digital topics such as inclusive connectivity, digital inclusion, ethical technology, etc.

Knowledge management by collecting and disseminating digital-related thought pieces produced across the organization

Internal coordination on thought leadership work with other UNDP units, and provide substantive inputs as appropriate

Support advocacy by developing digestible content in support of social media assets, blogs, talking points, briefing notes, etc., in close collaboration with the comms team

 

Digital Transformation: Country Office Support & Capacity Building

Support in the assessment of countries’ digital readiness, project management and operations implementation

Support Country Offices with tasks related to the development of national Data strategies and data governance frameworks, including project management and operational implementation

Support the work of making Digital, including Data, capacity building resources more accessible and usable for governments

Support the ongoing development of tools, products, and solutions to empower governments to implement practical initiatives that are inclusive of the whole society

Provide support for country offices that request partnership-related services

Support the development and delivery of a digital-skills programme for all UNDP personnel; Design and deliver some webinar ‘masterclasses’ on digital and data skills to expose UNDP personnel to new thinking and knowledge.

 

Digital Transformation: UNDP Digital Strategy Development & Implementation

Support the global positioning of UNDP’s thought and practice leadership, including its engagement in various alliances and networks, by conducting research on key digital topics, analyzing information and synthesizing it into a clear summary for Chief Digital Officer and other UNDP senior leadership

Support the management, coordination, and content maintenance of UNDP’s digital guides webpage together with relevant stakeholders across UNDP.

Contribute to the design of UNDP’s digital capacity footprint and support parts of the subsequent implementation, with emphasis on HR aspects, such as job descriptions; org model / operating model considerations and business processes

Provide front-office support to the Chief Digital Officer and his Special Assistant through strategic management of the Chief Digital Officer’s internal and external engagements; Support the drafting of speeches and briefs on UNDP’s digital support to governments for the Chief Digital Officer as necessary

Analyze progress of UNDP’s Digital Strategy implementation through rigorous analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and evaluating monitoring and reporting processes within the Chief Digital Office, and proposing improvements in their design and implementation processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness

 

Business Operations (People Operations & Procurement)

Assist the Operations Unit in completing Procurement and Recruitment exercises while tracking its progress

Support the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Procurement Plans, monitor progress and make suggestions for overcoming bottlenecks

Assist in the Operations and Programme Units in the organization of meetings, workshops, travel, and other such events

Assist the Chief Digital Office team in ensuring compliance with Procurement and Recruitment policies

Draft and update the team’s best practices to develop and drive new projects for the improvement of operations

 

Communications

Support the communications team with planning and producing compelling content for communications channels like social media, newsletters, blogs and internal UNDP platforms

Support with research and mapping of key media outlets, influential potential content partners, and trending topics in digital & technology

Support with the organization of webinars and events

Note-taking and assistance with capturing lessons-learned to inform the development of templates, guides and Standard Operating Procedures on good communication practices

 

Thought Leadership, Engagement and Partnerships

Research potential new partners including technology companies, foundations, non-profits, alliances, etc., and help identify new opportunities and areas of collaboration

Support outreach to and engagement of partners, and subsequent partnership development, including drafting concept notes, proposals, pitch decks, project documents, memorandum of understanding (MoU), outreach materials and other documents.

Support engagement in global, multilateral and UN interagency processes, including through drafting statements and speeches, attending meetings at the UN, and helping to organize meetings and events.

Support UNDP positioning and thought leadership on digital, including through conducting research, compiling information on, and analyzing key technology and digital issues, particularly related to digital development, transformation and capacity-building

 

Product Design, Build, and Management (including AI tools)

Support the design of digital products such as apps, platforms, web apps, and AI tools to enable UNDP’s work in countries, working with ‘client’ teams to define success and product requirements.

Support the scoping, and proposal writing for new digital products for UNDP thematic teams.

Support the building of digital products, including working with software developers, client teams, and product managers.

Assist with contract development and invoicing of product development work.

Conduct user testing and improvement of digital products.

Support the implementation of digital products in countries, working with local implementation teams and UNDP thematic teams to ensure quality delivery and outcomes.

 

 

Competencies

COMPETENCIES

• Achieve Results: Plans and  own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination:   Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner:  compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Other competencies

• Database management skills.
• Detail-oriented, preferably with  administrative and office management experience.
• to learn new things and gradually adapt the theory into practical work.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to deliver in a high-pressure environment
• Ability to handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously, mixing long-term projects with the urgency of immediate demands.
• Ability to collaborate with and achieve actionable results
• Excellent ability to multi-task in a high-demand and fast-paced work context
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Required Skills and Experience

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education and Experience

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), or.
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (undergraduate; bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
• Have graduated with a university degree (first university degree, or second university degree or equivalent, or higher) and, if selected, must  the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
• Interest/Experience in one of the workstream areas is desirable

Application Process

The application should :

• Brief Cover Letter (in English)
• A current and complete CV (Curriculum Vitae) in English.
• Complete this form () in addition to your details via the UNDP vacancy link

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In case an applicant is successfully selected, they will be requested to  electronic versions of: 

• Letter from university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
• Letter of recommendation from a professor;
• Copy of most recent school transcript.
• Copy of passport.
• Visa copy- If the candidate  the USA (United States of America)
• Completed UNDP internship application form.
• Signed UNDP Internship Agreement.
• Medical Certificate of Good Health.
• Copy of Medical Insurance

UNDP Terms & Conditions for Internship  

• the UNDP Internship policy, UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend, with the rate that varies depending on the duty location. The stipend will be paid monthly, and part-time /Remote internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support  and the applicable UNDP stipend.
• Except for the stipend, all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring the government or institutions.
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.
• The intern must  proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan.
• Interns are not considered staff members and may not  UNDP in any official
• Due to the high volume of applications received, we can ONLY contact successful candidates
• Send your queries to . Please allow 3-5 business days for the team to get back to you.