Background

 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

 

The UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) is the organization’s knowledge and advisory center for 18 countries and territories across Europe and Central Asia. As the regional arm of UNDP’s global offer, the IRH translates corporate priorities into action by providing policy advice, technical leadership, capacity development and programme coordination. Its work strengthens inclusive institutions, gender responsive and locally grounded governance, and social protection systems, while supporting countries to adopt systems thinking, mission oriented approaches and data driven solutions that accelerate SDG progress.

Since 2021, the IRH Innovation Team has led the regional implementation of the EU funded “Mayors for Economic Growth” (M4EG) Facility across five Eastern Partnership (EaP) Countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine). Through resources, networking, training and learning opportunities, M4EG helps towns and cities explore new development pathways and strengthen their attractiveness for people and investment. The initiative uses a hyperlocal, whole of place approach, offering capability development through the Urban Learning Center and grants that help municipalities test new tools and approaches. By the end of 2024, the network comprised 433 municipalities, nearly 50 of which were implementing grants. Ten cities were developing Urban Transformation Portfolios using a mission based approach to address complex challenges—from energy transition to start up ecosystems and digital cultural heritage (see the M4EG website (eum4eg.com) for more information on the second phase of the initiative).

The 2025–2028 phase—implemented in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine—focuses on supporting inclusive, green and innovative economic revival in secondary cities. It aims to strengthen systemic local economic planning, expand access to finance, build future ready capabilities and deepen networks across the region and beyond.
This phase emphasizes two core outcomes:
1.    Strengthened and adaptive local level economic development planning using mission oriented tools and capabilities; and
2.    Expanded access to financing through improved pipeline development and strengthened absorption capacities.

Gender equality is a central priority of the M4EG Facility, embedded across all areas of its work. The new phase places particular emphasis on gender responsive municipal diagnostics and planning, supporting municipalities to design policies and services that are equitable, accessible and grounded in the lived experiences of people of different genders and backgrounds—including those experiencing intersecting forms of discrimination.

The Facility works to expand women’s access to productive resources, skills development, digital tools, financial services and enabling business ecosystems—ensuring that local economies create opportunities rather than reinforce inequalities. This also includes a stronger focus on care systems, recognizing both their essential role in enabling women’s economic empowerment and the persistent care related barriers that limit women’s time, mobility and access to opportunities. Through targeted capacity building and participatory governance approaches, municipalities are supported to improve access to public services, cultivate environments where women owned enterprises and innovation driven business models can thrive, and strengthen women’s ability to shape local transformation agendas.

The initiative also prioritizes advancing women’s leadership in local governance and urban transformation. This involves strengthening women’s participation in decision making processes and applying evidence based tools to identify and dismantle systemic barriers that restrict women’s voice and influence. In close collaboration with the IRH Gender Equality Team—including through the Equal Future initiative—the M4EG Facility integrates data and analysis on women’s participation, leadership trajectories and representation in governance structures. These insights help reinforce institutional accountability, promote inclusive decision making and foster gender responsive governance that reflects community needs.

By integrating gender sensitive indicators and inclusive monitoring practices, the Facility helps ensure that women’s voices, leadership and lived experiences directly inform municipal planning, economic strategies and urban development pathways, contributing to more resilient, caring and inclusive local economies.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will work under the overall supervision of the Gender Analyst working at the intersection of the IRH M4EG and Gender Equality Teams. The intern is expected to work in the following areas:


1.    Research & Knowledge Management
•    Conduct desk research and compile basic qualitative and quantitative data to support gender responsive local governance analysis, including women’s leadership, care systems and inclusive municipal development.
•    Summarize relevant reports, guidance, municipal case examples and materials related to gender equality, inclusive governance and local innovation.
•    Support the preparation of analytical notes, short briefs and evidence based summaries that contribute to gender responsive diagnostics and the integration of gender considerations across the M4EG Facility’s work.
•    Assist in maintaining updated and well organized internal knowledge spaces and channels of communication, ensuring that key gender related and M4EG materials are easy to access and use.

2.    Learning & Communications Support
•    Collect, synthesize and help develop evidence based materials—including case studies, background notes, examples and slide content—that support learning sessions, regional capacity building activities and courses on gender responsive municipalities and women’s leadership.
•    Assist in creating communication and knowledge products that help convey the Facility’s priorities around gender responsive municipal planning, women’s leadership, inclusive innovation and gender-responsive economic development.

3.    Coordination & Operational Support
•    Support the Gender Analyst in coordination with IRH M4EG and Gender team members, Country Offices and municipal partners, including basic meeting and workflow support. 
•    Provide additional analytical and operational assistance to advance gender responsive governance and local transformation priorities.
 

Competencies

•    Self-starter, with ability to multi-task and work to deadlines;
•    Excellent relationship management and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
•    Attention to details.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application must meet one of the following requirements:
1.    Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
2.    Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
3.    Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) in a degree programme in relevant discipline such as Gender Studies, International Development and Cooperation, Public Policy, Social and Political Sciences, Architecture, Urban Planning, Environmental Sciences or related disciplines and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Technical skills:
•    Demonstrated interest and knowledge in theory and practice of women’s empowerment and gender equality issues;
•    Experience in research on gender equality issues is an asset;
•    Familiarity with gender-responsive planning and/or budgeting and gender mainstreaming in public policy or local development is an asset;
•    Excellent digital literacy, including Microsoft Suite, Canva, online tools and applications.

Language skills:
•    Proficiency in English, with excellent writing, research and analytical skills.

Financial Issues:
Internships within the UN system are subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with before signing his/her internship agreement. UNDP provide a stipend to all interns from January 2020. 
Any further costs associated with the internship must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her arrangements for travel, accommodation and other costs.
Candidates who are selected must submit following documents:
•    Official letter from the University confirming enrolment in a graduate-level degree programme;
•    Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance.
UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. It is important to note that interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents and need to plan for these well in advance.

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. More information available at: https://www.undp.org/eurasia/jobs/internship. 
 

Disclaimer
 

 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

 
Note: 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.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

 
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