Background

UNDP Ethiopia implements its Country Programme Document (CPD) 2025–2030, supporting Ethiopia’s Ten Year Development Plan and HomeGrown Economic Reform agenda. The CPD focuses on:

  • Macroeconomic restructuring and private‑sector–led growth, including easing MSME financing constraints and supporting job creation 
  • Climate Change and environmental sustainability, including large‑scale reforestation and climate action efforts
  • Peacebuilding, national cohesion and governance reforms, including inclusive national dialogues and transparent public service delivery 

The internship is designed to provide a whole-of-UNDP experience, aligned with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2025–2030, whose priorities are prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience, and a healthy planet, powered by accelerators: digital & AI transformation, gender equality, and sustainable finance. 

The selected intern will support UNDP’s integrated development portfolio and benefit from exposure across programmes, operations, and partnerships.

Openings 

UNDP has the following internship openings available for 2026 in the following projects, units or initiatives: 

  • Partnership management  
  • Administration and Logistics (2 Internships) 
  • AI University Innovation Pod (2 Internships) 
  • Timbuktoo ManuTech Hub 
  • Innovative Finance Lab
  • Communication
  • Operational data analytics and digitalization 
  • Election support 
  • Monitoring and Evaluation of climate projects 
  • Knowledge management of the support to the National demobilization and Reintegration
  • Peacebuilding 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the assigned team leader, the intern will support the following areas:

  • Contribute to thematic research.
  • Support the development of integrated programme briefs and concept notes.
  • Support mapping of government, UN, private sector, and civil society partners relevant to CPD priority areas.
  • Assist in preparing materials for coordination meetings with the UN, development partners, and implementing partners. 
  • Contribute to results reporting.
  • Assist with data collection, SDG indicator tracking, and visualization exercises.
  • Draft minutes, event documentation, human interest stories, impact and lessons briefs from UNDP Ethiopia’s programmes.
  • Support the organization of learning events, workshops, or consultations.
  • Support documentation, logistical preparation, and other operational tasks as required.
  • Support digitalization of processes to enhance transparency and efficiency. 
  • Carry out all other related tasks assigned by the supervisor as agreed.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the assignment, the intern will:

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of UNDP Ethiopia’s CPD 2025–2030 and how national priorities are translated into development programmes.
  • Understand UNDP’s integrated development solutions and how thematic areas intersect.
  • Strengthen skills in research, data analysis, communications, and policy engagement.
  • Gain practical experience working within the UN development system and the UNSDCF architecture.
  • Develop familiarity with programme and operations functions that enable effective delivery of development support.

Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Achieves Results
  • Think Innovatively
  • Engages and Partners Effectively
  • Demonstrates Agility and Adaptability

Functional Competencies

  • Strong analytical and writing skills
  • Ability to synthesize complex information clearly
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work effectively in multi‑disciplinary and multicultural teams
  • Commitment to gender equality and Leaving No One Behind

Corporate Competencies

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

  1. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in fields such as political science, international relations, development studies, peace and conflict studies, governance, public policy, law, software engineer, climate and environmental science, engineering, economics, logistics, management, communication, or related disciplines is required.
  2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in these disciplines;
  3. Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (1) and (2) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
  4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Experience:

Technical Skills (Desirable)

  • Data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, R, SPSS)
  • Familiarity with digital innovation, AI, or sustainable finance concepts
  • Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills

Language:

  • Written and spoken proficiency in English and local language. 
  • Knowledge of more local languages and other UN languages would be considered an asset. 

Conditions of Internship

  • Interns are not UNDP staff members and are considered gratis personnel and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. 
  • A stipend will be provided in accordance with UNDP rules.
  • Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
  • Interns must provide proof of valid medical insurance.
  • 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.

Capstone Assignment (Mandatory Output)

As part of the internship, the intern will undertake a Capstone Assignment that demonstrates integrated learning across UNDP Ethiopia’s CPD (2025–2030) priority areas. The capstone will be developed in consultation with the supervisor.

A short presentation will be expected to the hosting team and senior management team summarizing key findings.

Submission will be made before the end of the contract.

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit the following as part of their application:

  • Updated curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Updated cover letter indicating area of interest from the listed areas/departments and explaining your interest in working for UNDP in Ethiopia and alignment of your education, experience and interest with CPD priorities 
  • Clear information on academic status, either:
    • If currently enrolled: specify the name of the university, field of study, current year of studies, and academic year (e.g., 3rd year of Bachelor studies, academic year 2025/2026)
    • If graduated: indicate the exact graduation date and name of the university

Important Information:

  • This is an open call for expressions of interest to join the UNDP Ethiopia Internship programme. 
  • Please note that the Intern will be present and working in the UNDP Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 
     

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.

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