Bhutan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is UNDP ?

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

We are on the ground in 177 countries and territories, supporting their own solutions to development challenges and developing national and local capacities that will help them achieve human development and the Millennium Development Goals. Our work is concentrated on four main focus areas:

• Poverty Reduction and Achievement of the MDGs
• Democratic Governance
• Crisis Prevention and Recovery
• Environment and Energy for Sustainable Development

UNDP helps countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we promote the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women.

2. When and how did UNDP come into being?

UNDP is based on the merging of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, created in 1949, and the United Nations Special Fund, established in 1958. UNDP, as we know it now, was established in 1965 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. A comprehensive book on the history of UNDP entitled The United Nations Development Programme, A better way? was published in 2006 and can be purchased at the UN Bookshop or directly from the publisher.


3. How do I learn more about the organization?

Click here to learn more about who we are and what we do.

4. What is the Human Development Report?

The annual Human Development Report is UNDP’s flagship independent publication.  Its editorial autonomy is guaranteed by a special resolution of the General Assembly (A/RES/57/264), which recognizes the Human Development Report as “an independent intellectual exercise” and “an important tool for raising awareness about human development around the world". The reports focus the global debate on key development issues, providing new measurement tools, innovative analysis and often controversial policy proposals. They are guided by the belief that development is ultimately a process of enlarging people’s choices, not just raising national incomes. The independent teams of experts who write the Reports draw on a worldwide network of leaders from academia, government and civil society who contribute data, ideas, and best practices. For further information and to access global, regional or national human development reports online please visit the HDR Web site.

5. Does UNDP have an annual report, or a document describing activities and financial aspects?

The UNDP annual report and major policy documents may be found here.

6. What is the policy regarding the reproduction of materials found on the web site?

All materials found on UNDP websites are copyrighted to UNDP.

For non-profit organizations, materials found on the website or any UNDP publications (or parts thereof) may be freely reproduced, as long as due credit is given to the source.

For commercial usage or sales publications, please specify which publication (title, year, page/s) or part of the website will be reproduced (URL of webpage), and send your request to publications.queries@undp.org

For copyrights permissions concerning Human Development Reports (HDRs): UNDP owns the copyright to all materials in the HDRs but the publishers manage them for UNDP. For further advice please contact the Outreach and Advocacy Unit of the HDR Office.

7. I am looking for a former/present staff member. Could you give me his/her phone number or email address?

We are not authorized to provide email addresses of former or present staff members. You may direct your query to any of the units in UNDP at this address:

UNDP, Post Box 162
UN House
Thimphu Bhutan

8. Where is UNDP located?

UN House
Samten Lam, Thimphu

UNDP has its headquarters in New York City, but cooperates with governments and peoples largely in developing countries throughout the world. It works through its offices in more than 130 countries. Most of these offices have websites: http://www.undp.org/countries. UNDP also has liaison offices at the following locations:

European Office at Geneva
Palais des Nations CH-1211, Genève 10, Switzerland Telephone: (41-22) 917 8542
Fax: (41-22) 917 8001

UNDP Liaison Office in Brussels
United Nations Office/UNDP
14 Rue Montoyer, 1000 - Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: (32-2) 505 4620
Fax: (32-2) 505 4729

UNDP/Inter-Agency Procurement Services Office (IAPSO)
Nordic Liaison Office
Midtermolen 3, PO Box 2530, Copenhagen 0, Denmark
Telephone: (45-35) 46 71 54
Fax: (45-35) 46 70 95

UNDP Tokyo Office
UNU Building, 8th Floor 5-53-70 Jingumae Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
Telephone: (813) 5467 4751
Fax: (813) 5467 4753

UNDP Liaison Office in Washington DC
1775 K Street, NW, Suite 420
Washington, DC 20006 USA
Telephone: (202) 331-9130
Fax: (202) 331 9363

9. How do I apply for a job at UNDP?

All current UNDP vacancies and online application forms are available on our Jobs website. This site also includes links to the Leadership Development Programme, Junior Professional Officers' Programme, UN Volunteers, consultancies and internships. Click here to learn more about UNDP Jobs offer.

10. How can I check on the status of a job application?

You may email this address: ohr.recruitment.hq@undp.org or you may write to:

Chief, Recruitment Section
UNDP Office of Human Resources One United Nations Plaza,
18th Floor,
New York, NY 10017.

HR Section
UNDP Bhutan
PO Box 162
Samten Lam
Thimphu - Bhutan

11. Does UNDP offer scholarships to students enrolled in graduate degrees?
Unfortunately, our mandate does not permit us to provide financial assistance to individuals, companies or private groups; we work in collaboration with governments on development programmes and projects.