The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially opened new internship opportunities for 2026, inviting passionate students and recent graduates from around the world to gain hands-on experience in one of the world’s leading development organizations.
If you are committed to global development, eager to expand your professional skills, and ready to contribute to impactful projects across different regions, this is your chance to get involved.
UNDP is known for its strong commitment to building a fair, inclusive and prosperous world. Through its global presence, UNDP works to eradicate poverty, strengthen democratic governance, build resilience, protect the environment, and support sustainable development everywhere. Interning with UNDP means becoming part of a diverse team dedicated to improving lives and creating lasting change.
Why Choose a UNDP Internship?
Internships at UNDP are structured to provide meaningful exposure to development work while enhancing your academic knowledge with practical experience. Whether placed in a Country Office, a Regional Hub or UNDP Headquarters in New York, interns work closely with experienced professionals on real projects that address global challenges.
UNDP places strong emphasis on its core recruitment principles. Its culture reflects transparency, diversity, fair competition and accountability. As part of the wider UN system, interns gain valuable insight into the values of the United Nations Charter while being encouraged to collaborate, innovate and learn continuously.
The organization strives to match each intern’s interests with the needs of the office. Opportunities span fields such as policy research, climate action, project management, communications, finance, gender equality, innovation, and humanitarian development.
Eligibility and Requirements
UNDP internships are highly competitive. To apply, candidates must meet at least one of the following academic requirements at the time of application:
- Be enrolled in a graduate programme (Master’s level or equivalent);
- Be in the final academic year of a Bachelor’s degree program;
- Have graduated from a university programme and begin the internship within one year of graduation.
Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in global development, cultural sensitivity and a commitment to UN values. Because UNDP operates in multicultural environments, clarity in communication and the ability to collaborate with people from various backgrounds are essential.
Language proficiency is also important. Candidates must be fluent in at least one of UNDP’s working languages—English, French or Spanish. Knowledge of Arabic, Portuguese, Russian or Eastern European languages is an added advantage, especially when applying to country-specific assignments.
Internship Structure and Benefits
Internships are available on both part-time and full-time bases, depending on academic and office requirements. The duration may vary, allowing flexibility for students and graduates.
Since January 2020, all UNDP interns receive a monthly stipend. The amount differs depending on the duty station and whether the intern receives any financial support from their academic institution or government. This stipend helps cover basic costs associated with the internship period.
While internships are not intended to guarantee future employment, many former UNDP interns have successfully advanced into other roles within the UN system after completing their studies and meeting eligibility requirements.
How to Apply
All UNDP internship opportunities are posted and managed through the official UNDP job portal. Recruitment is fully decentralized, meaning each office handles its own selection process. Applicants should regularly check the platform, prepare their documents and apply directly online.
Official Application Link
👉 Apply for UNDP Internships: http://jobs.undp.org/
