UNDP in Ukraine

Objective

The UNDP Ukraine offers a small group of outstanding graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire working experience with UNDP. The internship programme provides a knowledge and understanding of UNDP’s goals, principles and activities. It should complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various professional aspects in the areas of poverty reduction, democratic governance, promotion of sustainable environmental and energy, social inclusion and local development.

What to expect

Work in a UNDP office and exposure to the UN system and operations, namely:

• Assisting with the organisation of conferences, forums, workshops or seminars
• Research work on development subjects
• Writing documents, cataloguing information
• Publishing knowledge storied/best practices
• Other learning and developmental tasks that compliment advanced studies

Eligibility Criteria

The following minimum qualifications are required:

• Enrollment in a degree programme in a graduate school at the time of application and during the internship; or have completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree, if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages.
• Proficiency in English, knowledge of Ukrainian is an asset.
• Computer literacy in standard office applications.
• Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Duration of Internship

Assignments may vary in length according to the availability and academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of UNDP. However, they will normally last no less than four weeks and no more than six months. Internship assignments are available on a part-time and full-time basis throughout the year.

Health and Medical Insurance

UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship.

Applicants for internship must therefore carry adequate and regular medical and life insurance.

Wherever applicable, proof of medical coverage/visa must be provided before the internship commences (Conditions for the insurance are given in the attached Internship Policy).

Financial Aspects

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme 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/her own arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, etc.

Application process

Applicants for advertised internships must submit the following documentation:

• duly completed UNDP Internship application form
• copy of the most recent CV and a copy of passport
• letter from his University confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
• a copy of his/her undergraduate school transcript;
• a letter of endorsement from a senior faculty member who has directly supervised the student in the recent past and who is fully acquainted with the student's performance.

Upon selection of the intern, the offer of an internship assignment is subject to the following documents:

(for everyone)

• signed "UNDP Internship agreement " form.

(for International candidates only)

• confirmed and signed copy of “Medical certificate of fitness ” from a recognized physician
• proof of medical insurance valid for Ukraine
• proof of life/accident insurance for locations in which internship will be carried out. (feel free to review the List of insurance carriers offering expatriate individual life/accident insurance and Internship guidelines).

Selection process:

All applications for internship at UNDP Ukraine are kept in an internal on-line database open for review by professional staff looking for suitable interns. Selection is an ongoing process and only successful applicants will be contacted.

Status of an Intern

Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

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.  Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship.  There must be minimum 3 months break after internship before any type of UNDP contract is signed.

UN Office of Legal Affairs strongly discourages any practice involving sending UN interns on field activities or official trips.

UNDP Internship Guidelines