Project Management Support Intern

Job Description

Background

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for positioning UNDP as the world’s leading global development network, promoting its global authority and thought leadership on sustainable development and the interconnected issues of poverty, inequality, and climate change. BERA leads and supports UNDP in building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances essential to achieving its mission. Creating strong political and financial backing for UNDP by providing partners and supporters with a clear understanding of what UNDP does and how our mission, capabilities and flagship services relate to them. The Bureau leads UNDP’s work on innovative and diversified partnerships and ways of financing the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It is also responsible for global campaigns on critical development issues, which aim to inform government policies and build partnerships around high-impact solutions. BERA coordinates and sets corporate standards across the functions of partnerships, marketing and communications within UNDP and leads on internal communications.

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy is positioned around three service lines; Public Partnership; Advocacy, Marketing and Communications; and Private and Finance Partners, all working in close collaboration and coordination under the guidance of the Directorate and with the support of the Management Support Unit and Strategic Analysis and Engagement team. BERA has a robust network of Representation Offices (Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo, Germany, and Washington D.C) and Regional Teams in five hubs (Africa, Arab States, Asia Pacific, Europe and CIS, and Latin American and the Caribbean) co-led with Regional Bureaux, all of which play a critical role in audience centric communications and management and strengthening of relationships with Public and Private Partners to help build a strong brand for UNDP within the local ecosystem.

The Public Partnerships Group (PPG) guides trusted engagement with public partners in support of UNDP Strategic Plan. This involves coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships including quality assurance; and engaging with key political constituencies and actors, as well as intergovernmental and inter-agency processes.

The Public Partnership Group (PPG) consists of six teams:

1. Partners Portfolio Management
2. Philanthropies
3. Performance and Analysis Portfolio
4. New Strategic Partnerships
5. Japan Unit
6. UN System Affairs

Japan Unit is committed to strengthening partnerships with Japan (the public and private sectors and civil society organizations in Japan) by playing a coordination and facilitation role within UNDP and between UNDP and Japan. Japan Unit, with close collaboration with the UNDP Representative Office in Tokyo, undertakes a wide range of activities including support for resource mobilization and management of Japan’s financial contributions to UNDP’s programmes/projects.Japan Unit also strengthens multi-bi cooperation with Japanese development partners (mainly the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Japan Unit staff, the intern’s main output would be to assist in compilation process of proposal submission from UNDP regional hubs and country offices for the Japan-funded projects. The intern will also assist analytical work and visualization of Japan’s funding trend, as well as meeting logistics and other activities to be undertaken by the Unit. The intern will support other BERA partnership group activities, if required, in addition to other tasks with prior consultation with and approval by the supervisor.

1. Operational and administrative support

• Assist the team in updating the status of projects funded through the Japan-UNDP Partnership Fund by liaising with relevant UNDP Units and Country Offices and collecting necessary documents including progress, final and financial reports.
• Assist the team in submission of required documents and information to the Government of Japan such as project proposals, project lists for refund and confirmation of receipts
• Conduct research and stakeholder mapping on Japan’s funding trend, with focus on thematic areas such as climate change, SDGs, responsible industrial development, and human rights due diligence, including analysis of public-private initiatives and sustainable supply chains.
• Provide logistical support for events, consultation and workshops that the Japan Unit will organize
• Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor

2. Data compilation and communication

• Input and maintain the database on the projects funded by Japan.
• Support the creation of visual and analytical content for donor presentation and knowledge products, utilizing tools such as PowerPoint, Excel, and Power BI. Apply quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills to improve reporting and outreach.
• Assist the team in translating UNDP messages, press releases and other publications.
• Contribute to inclusive partnership building and outreach efforts with Japanese stakeholders, including academic institutions and civil society, leveraging experience in awareness-raising campaigns and educational initiatives.

The intern is also expected to learn about Japan’s ODA funding schemes to the various partnerships between UNDP and Japan.

Outputs/ Deliverables/ Reporting Requirements

• Compilation of concept notes/proposals for Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB) funded projects is developed.
• Partner-specific research conducted to feed into policy papers, strategic notes and other relevant internal documents.
• Communications and knowledge management products developed, updated and maintained.

Competencies

• Interest in Japan’s ODA, work of the UN (of UNDP in particular) and a personal commitment to UNDP’s Statement of Purpose and to the ideals of the UN Charter
• Demonstrated understanding of sustainable development policies, particularly related to climate resilience, responsible business, and human rights due diligence in supply chains.
• Experience working in multi-stakeholder settings, including government, academia, and private sector actors, with strong facilitation and communication skills.
• Experience in organizing or contributing to public engagement initiatives and awareness campaigns, including SDG-focused education or outreach events.
• Energetic self-starter with multi-tasking abilities and discipline with deadlines
• Ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
• Ability to work with MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams, and Zoom
• Experience with online analytical tools, including Microsoft Power BI is desirable
• Excellent analytical skills
• Fluency in Japanese and English necessary (both languages are must)
• Detail oriented

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

a) Enrollment in graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher).
b) Enrollment in the final academic year of a university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent).
c) A university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) within one year of graduation.
d) Candidate is also preferred to have been enrolled in a Master’s level program in international development and international studies. Background or strong academic training in public policy, development practice, or sustainability, including knowledge of SDG implementation and ESG frameworks, is highly desirable.

Experience:

a) While no professional experience is necessary, excellent computer capabilities are required. Experience and/or knowledge of data analysis, including familiarity with data cleaning, impact evaluation, and use of visualization tools such as Power BI or R is an asset.
b) Knowledge in development-related areas, multi-stakeholder engagement, international or multilateral organizations.
c) Prior relevant experience is an asset, including experience in drafting meeting notes and reports, as well as organizing meetings and collaborative events.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English and Japanese (both written and oral). Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

General Internships Terms & Conditions:

UNDP may accept interns provided the following conditions are met:

• Interns may be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies, if not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme.
• 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.
• The intern is responsible for obtaining 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 Programme 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.
• The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract and due recognition of work will be issued in writing.

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of the following documents upon selection:

• Copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae.
• Letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date.
• Letter of recommendation from a professor.
• Copy of her/his school transcript.
• Copy of passport.
• Completed UNDP internship application form.
• Signed UNDP Internship Agreement.
• Medical Certificate of Good Health.
• Proof of medical insurance.
  

Subsequent Employment:
The purpose of the Internship Programme 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.

For more information on UNDP Internship, please visit:
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/jobs/internships.html

Deadline: 19 Jun 2025