UNDP People Development Internship 2025–26 | Global Development Internship Opportunity

The UNDP People Development Internship is a professional internship opportunity within the United Nations Development Programme’s Talent Development Unit (TDU). The role supports multiple people-focused functions such as onboarding, learning, leadership development, career support, communications, and knowledge management.

This internship is ideal for students or recent graduates who want to build experience in human resources, learning and development, organizational development, or global development operations.

 What the Internship Involves

Interns may be assigned to one or more focus areas, such as:

• Onboarding support – assisting in the coordination and delivery of new-staff onboarding programmes.
• Learning and development – helping design or update learning materials, digital content, and training resources.
• Leadership development – supporting leadership-focused trainings and initiatives.
• Learning technology – assisting in managing digital learning platforms and tools.
• Career development – coordinating career programmes, events, and resource updates.
• Data and knowledge management – supporting dashboards, reports, databases, and learning analytics.
• Communications – preparing newsletters, content, visuals, and announcements related to people-development activities.

Assignments depend on the needs of the Talent Development Unit and the intern’s background, skills, and interests.

 Benefits & What You Can Expect

UNDP internships follow a global standard framework and typically include:

• Monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses (amount varies by duty station).
• Full integration into UNDP teams, with responsibilities that contribute to meaningful projects.
• Full-time work schedule, with some flexibility depending on the office.
• Opportunity to collaborate with global colleagues across regions and thematic areas.
• Exposure to international development, HR strategy, talent management, and organizational learning at a global scale.
• Experience that strengthens your CV for future positions in UN agencies, international NGOs, and development organizations.

UNDP never charges any fees at any stage of recruitment, making the process safe and transparent.

 Who Can Apply

The internship is open to:

• Students enrolled in a final year of a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme, or
• Recent graduates who completed their studies within the past 12 months.

Ideal fields of study include:

• Human Resources
• Psychology
• Education / Learning & Development
• Business Administration
• Public Administration
• International Relations / Development
• Organizational Behaviour
• Data Analytics
• Communications

Key competencies include strong communication skills, teamwork, creativity, digital literacy, and an interest in people-centered development.

 How to Strengthen Your Application

To stand out, applicants should:

• Demonstrate a genuine interest in people development, HR, or organizational learning.
• Highlight relevant academic research, internships, volunteer work, or university projects.
• Show familiarity with digital learning tools, HR systems, or content creation (a plus, not a requirement).
• Present strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Emphasize adaptability and cross-cultural sensitivity — essential for the UN environment.

A concise, well-structured CV and a thoughtful cover letter that reflects passion for development and capacity-building greatly strengthen your application.

 Why This Internship Matters

This internship offers:

• First-hand experience inside a major UN agency
• Practical work on projects that impact global staff development
• Training exposure and access to learning resources
• A stepping-stone to longer-term UN career pathways
• Networking with professionals across UNDP’s global network

For young professionals seeking a career in human resources, international development, organizational development, or learning, this internship is one of the strongest entry points.

The UNDP People Development Internship is a highly valuable opportunity for emerging professionals who want real-world experience in global talent development. With meaningful responsibilities, international exposure, and a supportive environment, it provides a strong foundation for both development-sector and HR-focused career paths.