Apply Today! Project Management Support – Intern : UNDP Internship Opportunity (2026)

About UNDP: Advancing Sustainable Development Worldwide

UNDP’s Global Role and Mandate

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s leading development agency, working in over 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience to crises and climate change. UNDP supports countries in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by integrating economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

UNDP’s work spans a wide range of thematic areas, including:

Poverty reduction and inclusive growth
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Democratic governance and peacebuilding
Gender equality and women’s empowerment
Sustainable finance and private sector engagement
Crisis prevention and recovery

At the heart of UNDP’s operations is a strong emphasis on partnerships, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking—all of which rely on effective project management, data analysis, and strategic coordination.

Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA)

Strengthening Partnerships and Global Engagement

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for managing UNDP’s external relations, advocacy efforts, and strategic partnerships. BERA plays a critical role in positioning UNDP as a trusted partner for governments, donors, multilateral institutions, the private sector, foundations, and civil society organizations.

BERA’s mandate includes:

Resource mobilization and donor relations
Intergovernmental affairs with Member States
Engagement with international financial institutions
UN system coordination and coherence
Strategic communications and global advocacy

The bureau is structured around three core service lines:

Public Partner Partnerships
Marketing and Communications
Private Sector and Finance Partnerships

These service lines are supported by Management Support, Strategy, and Analytics teams, ensuring a data-driven and results-oriented approach to partnership development.

The Partnerships Group and the Japan Unit

The Role of the Partnerships Group

Within BERA, the Partnerships Group (PG) leads UNDP’s corporate approach to building and managing external partnerships. The group advocates UNDP’s value proposition as a global authority on sustainable development and coordinates strategic, multi-stakeholder engagement aligned with the UNDP Strategic Plan.

The Partnerships Group:

Facilitates engagement with public and private partners
Provides intelligence and advisory services for donor engagement
Represents UNDP in intergovernmental forums
Supports UN system-wide coherence
Monitors funding performance and partnership effectiveness

The Japan Unit: Deepening Strategic Cooperation

The Japan Unit plays a specialized role in strengthening cooperation between UNDP and Japanese stakeholders, including:

Government institutions
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Private sector entities
Academic institutions
Civil society organizations

Working closely with UNDP’s Representation Office in Tokyo, the Japan Unit supports:

Resource mobilization for UNDP programmes and projects
Management of Japan’s financial contributions to UNDP
Multi-bi cooperation initiatives
Policy dialogue and strategic engagement

The Project Management Support Intern contributes directly to these efforts by assisting with coordination, analysis, reporting, and operational support.

Internship Overview: Project Management Support – Intern

Purpose and Learning Objectives of the Internship

The Project Management Support Internship is designed to:

Provide exposure to UNDP’s partnership and resource mobilization work
Build practical skills in project coordination and donor reporting
Develop analytical and data visualization capabilities
Enhance understanding of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA)
Strengthen communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Interns gain insight into how global development projects are designed, funded, monitored, and reported within a multilateral organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Japan Unit staff, the intern supports a wide range of operational, analytical, and communication activities.

1. Operational and Administrative Support

The intern assists with:

Tracking the status of projects funded through the Japan–UNDP Partnership Fund
Liaising with UNDP regional hubs and country offices to collect progress, final, and financial reports
Updating internal project databases and documentation
Supporting the submission of required documentation to the Government of Japan, including:
- Financial Agreements
- Project proposals
- Confirmation of receipts
- Refund documentation

The role provides practical exposure to donor compliance and project lifecycle management.

2. Research and Analytical Support

The intern contributes to analytical work by:

Conducting research on Japan’s funding trends, with focus on:
- Climate change
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Responsible industrial development
- Human rights due diligence
Mapping stakeholders across public and private sectors
Analyzing procurement systems, guidelines, and market trends
Identifying opportunities to increase private sector participation in UNDP projects

These tasks help strengthen UNDP’s engagement strategies and partnership approaches.

3. Data Compilation and Visualization

The intern supports data-driven communication by:

Maintaining databases on Japan-funded projects
Creating visual and analytical content using tools such as:
- Microsoft Excel
- PowerPoint
- Power BI
Applying quantitative and qualitative analysis to improve reporting quality
Supporting donor presentations and knowledge products

This component of the internship strengthens technical skills in data management and visualization.

4. Communication and Outreach

Communication support includes:

Assisting with the translation of UNDP messages, press releases, and publications
Supporting outreach to Japanese stakeholders, including academia and civil society
Contributing to inclusive partnership-building initiatives
Supporting awareness-raising and SDG-related educational activities

Interns develop professional communication skills in a multicultural and multilingual context.

5. Event and Logistics Support

The intern provides logistical assistance for:

Seminars and workshops
Consultations and outreach events
Procurement participation promotion activities

This includes coordination, documentation, and follow-up support.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

By the end of the internship, the intern is expected to have contributed to:

Partner-specific research inputs for policy papers and strategic notes
Updated communication and knowledge management products
Analytical reports and briefing materials on procurement systems and private sector trends
Logistical and documentation support for partnership and procurement events
Visual content related to Japan’s funding trends and partnership initiatives

Required Competencies and Professional Attributes

UNDP seeks candidates who demonstrate:

Strong interest in Japan’s ODA and UNDP’s development mandate
Commitment to the values and principles of the United Nations Charter
Understanding of sustainable development, climate resilience, and responsible business practices
Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments
Strong organizational and time-management skills
Attention to detail and analytical thinking
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and virtual collaboration platforms

Experience with data analysis tools such as Power BI is considered an asset.

Education and Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application:

Enrolled in a graduate programme (Master’s degree or higher)
Enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree programme
Graduated within the past year from a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme

Preferred academic backgrounds include:

International development
Business administration
Public policy
Sustainability studies
Development practice

Language Requirements

Fluency in English and Japanese (written and oral) is mandatory
Knowledge of an additional UN language is an advantage

Conditions of the Internship Programme

Interns may receive a modest monthly stipend in accordance with UNDP Internship Policies
Interns are responsible for:
- Medical insurance
- Visa arrangements
- Travel and accommodation
Interns are not UNDP staff members and may not represent UNDP officially
The internship does not lead to automatic employment with UNDP
Performance is evaluated at the end of the internship, with written recognition provided

Equal Opportunity and Ethical Standards

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity across all dimensions. Recruitment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP maintains a zero-tolerance policy for:

Harassment
Sexual harassment
Exploitation and abuse
Abuse of authority

All selected candidates are subject to relevant background checks and are expected to adhere to UNDP’s ethical standards.

How to Apply

Candidates must apply through the official UNDP recruitment platform. Required documentation includes:

APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE.

Updated CV or résumé
Proof of enrolment or recent graduation
Letter of recommendation
Academic transcript
Passport copy
Medical certificate and proof of insurance (upon selection)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

YOU CAN CHECK OTHER OPPORTUNITIES HERE!

Conclusion: Launch Your Career in International Development

The Project Management Support – Intern position with UNDP’s Japan Unit offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in project coordination, partnerships, and sustainable development within a leading UN agency.

For students and recent graduates aspiring to careers in international development, project management, or multilateral organizations, this internship provides meaningful exposure, professional growth, and a strong foundation for future global careers.