Bhutan

Internship

Internship assignments 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 six weeks and no more than six months. If an intern can prove that a nine-month internship will grant him/her an educational credit for one full school year, the internship may be exceptionally granted for a maximum total duration of nine months.

Internship assignments are available on a part-time and full-time basis throughout the year, depending on the availability of meaningful assignments and the needs and capacity of offices to receive and supervise interns.

Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members.

The purpose of UNDP’s internship programme is to:

• provide a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds may be assigned to UNDP offices, where their educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments;
• expose them to an international environment;
• expose them to work of the Organization with the objective of deepening their knowledge and understanding of UNDP’s goals, principles and activities; and
• provide UNDP offices with the assistance of qualified students specialized in various professional fields.

Qualifications

Interns are selected on a competitive basis. The following minimum qualifications are required:

Enrolment: enrolled in a degree programme in a graduate school (second university degree or higher) at the time of application or have recently completed their undergraduate studies 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;

Skills:  Proficiency in English and normally at least one additional UNDP working language (i.e., French or Spanish). Fluency in Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese or Russian is an asset; computer literate in standard software applications; demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UN, and of UNDP in particular, and have a personal commitment to UNDP's Statement of Purpose  and to the ideals of the UN Charter; and demonstrated the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Applications

Interested students must send the following documentation:

• a duly completed “UNDP internship application form”;
• a copy of his/her most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
• a letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
• a copy of his/her 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; and
• a brief paper setting out the reasons why he/she is seeking an internship with UNDP and what is expected from the experience.

Financial Issues

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;
• The student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.

Costs incurred by an intern in the discharge of his/her functions shall be reimbursed by UNDP under the same rules as costs reimbursed to staff members. Costs incurred by an intern undertaking official travel at the request of UNDP in the discharge of functions related to the internship activities shall be paid by the Organization on the same basis as costs incurred by staff members, including payment of DSA, as applicable.

UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. As interns are not covered under any insurance, including MAIP, they will not travel to hazardous locations in the course of their internship with UNDP.

Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work. It must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship which:

• requires transportation to the Home Country or Country of Residence for further treatment; or
• results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the Home Country, or Country of Residence.

For a list of insurance carriers offering expatriate individual health and/or life/accident insurance plans for students.

Further Career Opportunities

The purpose of internships is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but, as mentioned, to complement an intern's studies. Interns will not be sought nor accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts.

However, a number of interns, having completed their studies and met the necessary requirements, have gone on to further assignments with the UNDP or elsewhere in the United Nations system.