Requisition ID: 8261
Grade: Intern
Category: Internship
Employment Type: NonStaff-Regular
Country: Korea, Republic of
Duty Station: Seoul
Entry Date: As soon as possible
Internship Duration: 3-6 months
Application Deadline: 11-Nov-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)
Vacancy Announcement
UNIDO welcomes applications from qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to applicants and employees with disabilities to support full participation in the recruitment process and in the performance of their duties.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declarationadopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019 as well as the Riyadh Declarationadopted at the twenty-first session of UNIDO General Conference in 2025, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial developmentin Member States. The relevance of this mission as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, however, applies to all SDGs.
The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 - 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document and it is in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050. It sets a renewed vision to support Member States and shape their industries for development. The priorities include fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, renewable and clean energy, sustainable energy access and climate action. Cross-cutting priorities focus on industrial and economic policy advice, skills development, fostering digitalization and artificial intelligence, gender equality and the empowerment of women, supporting youth, promoting cleaner production and circular economy, and leveraging private sector investment and development finance.
Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards-related activities; and (iv) convening and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer, investment mobilization, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.
The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO's relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the policymaking organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices.
The Directorate is responsible for the Liaison Offices in Brussels (GLO/BRO), Geneva (GLO/GVO) and New York (GLO/NYO) as well as following Divisions: Policymaking Organs (GLO/PMO), Funding Partner Relations (GLO/FPR), Investment and Technology Promotion Offices and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP), and Regional Bureaus and Field Coordination (GLO/RFO). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with organizational entities in all Directorates across the Organization.
This position is located under the Investment and Technology Promotion Offices and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP). The Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP) will link UNIDO's Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) with international corporate partners and use the ITP network to forge, in collaboration with IET/PPP, partnerships with development partners. It will engage in match-making and partnership development at corporate, institutional and political levels to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition in becoming attractive investment locations resulting in increased levels of investments and, through investors and partners that the ITPOs bring to the table, engage in technology exchange partnerships that enable them to adopt new technologies for sustainable industrial development.
This Division harnesses different types of partnerships at corporate, institutional and political level to support developing countries in their endeavor to become attractive investment locations resulting in increased levels of investments (foreign direct investment, impact investments, domestic investments) as well as technology exchange and adoption. The Division expands its Investment and Technology Promotion Network by closely interlinking UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) with investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and international corporate partners.
UNIDO’s international Network of Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) counts ten offices that are located in Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai and Beijing, China; Moscow, the Russian Federation; Manama, Bahrain; Rome, Italy; Bonn and Berlin, Germany; Lagos, Nigeria; and Seoul, the Republic of Korea.
UNIDO ITPOs have contributed to reducing development imbalances, by brokering investment and technology agreements between developed, developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Located in both hemispheres, the specialized network of UNIDO ITPOs opens up opportunities for investors and technology suppliers to find potential partners and offers unique services to both entrepreneurs and business institutions.
PROJECT CONTEXT
The main purpose of this project is to contribute to inclusive and sustainable industrial development and economic growth in developing countries and countries with economies in transition by identifying and mobilizing investment, technology, financial resources, knowledge and technical skills from Korea. To this end, ITPO Korea will provide value-added advisory services to business development organizations, small and medium enterprise (SME) associations, local governments, academia, development agencies, investment promotion agencies (IPAs), and other relevant institutions. Through these services, ITPO Korea will promote mutually beneficial industrial cooperation, business development, investment and technology transfer between Korea and partner countries, supporting the implementation of sustainable, inclusive and innovative projects.
The project contributes to SDG 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all), SDG 9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation), and SDG 17 (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development). It is also aligned with UNIDO’s vision of Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID).
The ultimate beneficiaries of the project are public and private institutions, enterprises, business associations and IPAs in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, whose efforts to attract investment and technology flows will be supported. The project will also benefit the Korean private sector by providing companies with opportunities to enter new markets or expand their existing operations in the target countries.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships and the direct supervision of the Head of UNIDO ITPO Korea, the Intern shall be engaged as follows:
a. Exposed to the regular functions of UNIDO ITPO Korea and as such shall have the opportunity to observe the day-to-day operations and engage in on-the-job training in specific actions delegated by the supervisor.
b. Engaged in a specific self-contained assignment described below:
- Provide substantive support for the preparation and implementation of UNIDO ITPO Korea’s programmes
- Support UNIDO ITPO Korea’s outreach and communications activities
c. Other Special emerging Projects that may enhance the learning experience of the Intern.
The Intern will be required to prepare an end-of-internship report, which will be submitted to and cleared by HRM.
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Enrolled in a second level university degree programme (master's or equivalent) or higher; or begin the internship within one year of completing a second level university degree; or be enrolled in the final academic year of a first-degree programme (bachelor's or equivalent); or begin the internship within one year of completing a first level university degree. Only accredited institutions will be considered.
Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Korean is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Internships at UNIDO are full-time and shall be for a period of three to six months. Extensions beyond the initially agreed duration are not permitted.
- Interns shall receive a stipend from UNIDO to cover the costs of basic subsistence at the location of the internship.
- Interns are responsible for living expenses, accommodation, visas, and related costs.
- UNIDO does not charge any fees at any stage of the internship application or recruitment process.
CORE VALUES AND BEHAVIORS
Core Values
Excellence – Deliver high-quality results; continuously improve performance
Integrity – Uphold ethical standards; act transparently and responsibly
Inclusion – Promote respect, diversity, and fairness
Humility – Show self-awareness; value others’ contributions
Humanity – Act with compassion; align work with sustainable development
Core Behaviors
Connect & Collaborate - Build trust through communication and teamwork; Share knowledge and embrace diversity
Analyse & Plan - Use data and evidence for decision-making; Plan proactively and prioritize effectively
Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Take ownership and deliver quality outputs; Align work with UNIDO mission and objectives
Learn and Develop - Continuously develop skills; Seek feedback and share knowledge
Adapt and Innovate - Respond flexibly to change; Embrace innovation and new approaches
LEARNING ELEMENTS
Become acquainted with the most up-to-date technical, economic and industrial developments in the relevant field of specialization of the UNIDO ITPO Korea. Furthermore, intern is expected to deepen their knowledge in the fields of new product/services and process design.
Gain experience in programme implementation, investment promotion, outreach and communications.
On the job training: participation in every phase of the working process.
Gain experience in working effectively in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.
UNIDO Interns are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity at all times, both at work and outside. Only candidates who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for internships at UNIDO.
Integrity, Respect and Inclusion
UNIDO is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, diversity, inclusion and mutual respect. Employees of UNIDO are required at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity. UNIDO prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
Through people-centred policies, UNIDO supports its personnel in balancing professional and personal responsibilities through flexible working arrangements while maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations worldwide.
All applications must be submitted through the UNIDO Online Recruitment System.
Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process.
Visit the UNIDO employment website for details on how to apply: www.careers.unido.org
Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: internship@unido.org