Research & Partnerships Intern

Background

The mission of the Human Development Report Office (HDRO) is to advance human development. The goal is to contribute towards the expansion of people’s opportunities, choice, and freedom. HDRO works towards this goal by promoting innovative new ideas, advocating practical policy changes, and constructively challenging policies and approaches that constrain human development. HDRO works with others to achieve change through writing and research, data analysis and presentation, and outreach and advocacy work.

One of its best-known outputs is the global Human Development Report (HDR), first launched in 1990. These independent Reports are intended to challenge policies and approaches that constrain human development, promote innovative concepts, and advocate practical policy changes. In each Report a different development theme is examined in depth using available data and new analyses relevant to the chosen topic resulting in both an assessment of status as well as a series of policy recommendations for the future. HDRO’s pioneering metrics, not least the Human Development Index, have become a global standard setter in measuring development progress. 

HDRO is uniquely positioned within the UN system as an independent research office that combines the credibility and convening power of the United Nations with the freedom to challenge prevailing narratives and explore frontier issues. It works with multi-stakeholder partners globally to achieve change through writing and research, data analysis and presentation, support to national and regional analysis as well as outreach and advocacy work.  The 2026 Human Development Report explores how changes in our planetary systems are shaping the future of human development—and how advances in human development can, in turn, address the threats to those systems. It looks at how planetary pressures intersect with health, education, livelihoods, and well-being, and asks how societies can cultivate more constructive, mutually beneficial relationships between people and nature. The report proposes new metrics to better capture progress in this context and identifies actionable strategies to move beyond defensive and retreating approaches towards mobilizing people's aspirations for a better future to ensure that people and planet thrive together. 

HDRO’s internship programme is designed to develop emerging talent interested in the Human Development approach and global development challenges, building their analytical toolkit and ability to inform policy with evidence.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will be supervised by a senior HDRO staff and work closely with the research team on the preparation of the Human Development Reports and related products and engagements. In particular, they are expected to deliver the following tasks:

• Provide assistance for quantitative and qualitative background research for the 2026 Human Development Report, including data analysis and compilations of charts and tables.
• Undertake literature reviews.
• Write short research notes.
• Review and verification of statistical materials for the report.
• Support the team in analysis and presentation of human development statistics.
• Assist in identification of data sources and preparation of datasets.
• Assist in fact checking and proof reading.
• Support research partnership engagements, including developing concept notes and background materials as well as tracking key actions points and follow-up
• Support the development of high-impact communications materials for the Human Development Reports and related products.
• Support and participate in other activities as requested, including providing logistical support to various events organized by HDRO such as team meetings, research seminars, consultations, workshops, and side events.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Technical and Practical Competencies:

• Familiarity with human development concepts, measurements and international development issues
• Familiarty with the broad topic of the 2026 Human Development Report “An Aspirational approach to human and planetary futures”Quantitative data analysis skills, using a wide variety of statitistical software or open source programming tools is desireable.
• Proven research and writing skills, with track records in producing research or communications products on development topics

Professional and Interpersonal Skills:

• Strong service orientation and teamwork skills, with the ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to continuous learning

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Currently enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. Program or those completing a Master’s or in the last year of their Bachelor’s and to recent graduates (up to one year post-graduation), with a major in demography, economics, development studies, public policy or relevant social science subjects.

Experience:

• Experience working with an international organization or NGO that shares the mission and values of UNDP is hidhly deriser 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate with mutidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Familiarity with the Human Development concept.
• Experience with and knowledge of statistical software or open source programming tools is an asset.

Language:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

• Competency in other UN languages is a strong asset.

   

Working Arrangements:

• As of 1 January 2020, Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, if it is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government foundation or scholarship programme A stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan.
• Interns are expected to work full time, either in person or remotely, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.
• Interns are responsible for obtaining the necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed.
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
• The purpose of the internship is not to lead to further employment with UNDP, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
• Interns will be evaluated at the end of the contract.
• Interns are responsible for providing their own laptops.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.