Applications are invited from suitable and qualified candidates for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Internship Program 2026.
About United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the development arm of the United Nations, operating in 170 countries with more than 17,000 staff members focused on addressing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, governance, renewable energy, crisis prevention, and gender equality. Through its Strategic Plan 2026–2029, UNDP emphasizes the role of digital technology, data, innovation, and artificial intelligence in accelerating sustainable development and improving public services. The organization’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) develops policies and operational frameworks to support these goals, while the Digital, AI and Innovation (DAI) Hub leads efforts in digital transformation, AI, innovation, and systems development. By combining global expertise with local knowledge and partnerships, UNDP works to deliver inclusive, scalable, and future-focused solutions that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Summary
- Company: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- Job Title: Digital, AI and Innovation Internship: Global Call for 2026
- Job Type: Full Time
- Qualification: BA/BSc/HND/MSC
- Location: Home base
Job Title: Digital, AI and Innovation Internship: Global Call for 2026
Job Summary
Duties and Responsibilities
We are looking for motivated interns who can support our work in any of the following areas listed below:
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Systems Transformation & Innovation
- Conduct research and draft analytical content on systems transformation, innovation, and emerging policy approaches
- Contribute to horizon scanning and synthesis of global and regional trends relevant to policy innovation and system change
- Contribute to the design, documentation, and refinement of innovative policy and programme approaches
- Design, test, and document innovative policy and programme approaches aimed at system-level change
- Collect, curate, and disseminate knowledge products and thought leadership on innovation and systems transformation to align regional efforts and scale innovation
Programme Delivery & Capacity Building
- Contribute to the delivery of digital, data, and AI initiatives with UNDP Country Offices
- Develop capacity-building materials on digital, data, and AI for governments and partners
- Coordinate activities related to national digital, data, and AI strategies
- Draft practical toolkits, guidance notes, and implementation resources for Country Offices
- Organize and deliver webinars, trainings, and learning sessions
Data Policy & Governance
- Conduct research on data governance frameworks, data protection, and responsible data use
- Contribute to advisory on development of national data strategies and data governance frameworks
- Draft policy briefs, background notes, and analytical summaries on data-related topics
- Track global and multilateral processes related to data and digital governance
- Contribute to UNDP positioning and advocacy on data policy and digital rights
Data Analytics & Insights
- Collect, clean, and analyze quantitative and qualitative datasets
- Develop dashboards, trackers, and data visualizations for monitoring and reporting
- Analyze progress of Digital Strategy implementation using data-driven approaches
- Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes
- Translate data findings into concise, actionable insights for internal use
Partnerships & Strategic Communications
- Research potential new partners including technology companies, foundations, non-profits, alliances, etc., and help identify new opportunities and areas of collaboration
- Contribute to strategic communications, outreach to and engagement of partners, and subsequent partnership development, including drafting concept notes, communications materials, proposals, pitch decks, project documents, memorandum of understanding (MoU), outreach materials and other documents.
- Take part in 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.
- Assist in UNDP positioning and thought leadership on digital, AI and innovation including through conducting research, compiling information on, and analyzing key technology and digital issues, particularly related to digital development, transformation and capacity-building
- Develop strategic communications by planning and producing compelling content for communications channels like social media, newsletters, blogs and internal UNDP platforms
- Contribute to the research and mapping of key media outlets, influential potential content partners, and trending topics in digital & technology
Process Efficiency & Resource Management
- Track project workplans, milestones, and deliverables for DAI Hub projects
- Contribute to planning for HR, procurement, and resourcing processes in line with UNDP policies and guidelines
- Develop SOPs, internal guidance, trackers, and dashboards
- Contribute to planning, monitoring, and reporting of operational and resourcing plans
Identify operational inefficiencies and propose process improvements
Product Design, Build, and Management (including AI tools)
- Participate in 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.
- Contribute to 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.
- Assist with the implementation of digital products in countries, working with local implementation teams and UNDP thematic teams to ensure quality delivery and outcomes.
Research & Knowledge Management
- Maintain and regularly update content on UNDP knowledge platforms (including SparkBlue and SharePoint)
- Conduct desk research and synthesis on digital, data, and AI topics to support KM products and communications
- Draft knowledge summaries, background notes, and briefing materials.
- Support content curation and dissemination of internal newsletters
- Curate and maintain digital- and data-related knowledge products and repositories
- Manage content for digital guides, internal platforms, and knowledge databases
- Coordinate dissemination of research and thought pieces across UNDP units
Competencies
- Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
- Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is a 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: Demonstrates 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 previous administrative and office management experience.
- Eager 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
See Also:
Required Skills and Experience for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Internship Program 2026
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; minimum 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 commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
- Interest/Experience in one of the workstream areas is desirable
Deadline
1st October, 2026
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