Job Description

BACKGROUND

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

CORPORATE BACKGROUND

Asia and the Pacific is one of the world’s most diverse and dynamic regions. While the region has experienced substantial development progress, many countries continue to face interconnected challenges arising from violent conflict, political transitions, social polarization, inequality, climate-related risks, displacement, shrinking civic space, and declining trust in institutions.

UNDP supports national and regional partners in preventing violent conflict, sustaining peace, strengthening social cohesion, and addressing the structural conditions that contribute to instability and exclusion. This includes work on conflict analysis and prevention, insider mediation, social cohesion, youth, peace and security, women, peace and security, prevention of violent extremism, climate security, human security, and peacebuilding financing.

The UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub provides policy and programme support to Country Offices across Asia and the Pacific, facilitates regional knowledge exchange, develops analytical and practical tools, and helps connect country-level experience with regional and global policy processes.

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND

Working with the Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding team within the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding portfolio of the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, and in collaboration with relevant thematic teams and UNDP Country Offices, the intern will support research, analysis, knowledge management, programme development, and regional learning.

The internship will contribute to the development of the regional CPP Knowledge Hub and Community of Practice, which is intended to bring together peacebuilding knowledge, lessons, tools, and experiences from across Asia and the Pacific. The platform will cover regional trends and thematic areas including insider mediation and social cohesion, prevention of violent extremism, youth, peace and security, women, peace and security, and climate security.

DUTIES

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Research and Analysis (35%):

• Conduct desk research on emerging conflict prevention and peacebuilding trends in Asia and the Pacific;
• Support the preparation of concise country, subregional, and thematic background notes, briefing materials, and analytical summaries;
• Contribute to research and analysis on areas such as social cohesion, community-based violence prevention, insider mediation, youth engagement, prevention of violent extremism, climate security, human security, and the prevention of recruitment into armed or organized criminal groups.

Knowledge Management and Regional Community of Practice (30%):

• Support the development and updating of the regional Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Knowledge Hub and Community of Practice;
• Assist in identifying and documenting lessons, case studies, programme documents and innovative practices from UNDP Country Offices on various peacebuilding issues;
• Support the preparation of knowledge products, learning notes, newsletters, and other materials for internal and external audiences.

Programme and Partnership Support (25%):

• Support the preparation of concept notes, project summaries, donor briefs, presentations, and background materials;
• Contribute to stakeholder and partner mapping, including government institutions, civil society organizations, research institutions, practitioner networks, and development partners;
• Support coordination and information exchange with UNDP Country Offices and regional and global teams.

Other Team Support (10%):

• Participate in CPP and broader Governance and Peacebuilding team meetings and brainstorming sessions;
• Undertake other relevant duties requested by the supervisor and CPP team.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

Subject to the team’s evolving priorities, expected outputs may include:

1. Contributions to at least one regional CPP mapping, stocktaking, or database exercise.
2. Organization and updating of resources for the CPP Knowledge Hub.
3. Draft case studies, learning or meeting notes, presentations, or briefing materials.
4. A brief end-of-internship report summarizing work completed, lessons, and recommendations for strengthening CPP knowledge management.

COMPETENCIES

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization, particularly in programmes that support youth, entrepreneurship, climate action, and inclusive development;
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mindset;
• Communicates effectively when working both independently an as part of a team, with the ability to engage respectfully, transparently, and constructively with colleagues, partners, and programme participants;
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and adaptability, showing humility and openness when engaging with people from diverse cultural, socio-economic, gender, religious, and geographic backgrounds;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view, demonstrating self-awareness, intellectual humility, and a growth mindset;
• Consistently approaches work with energy, integrity, and a positive, constructive attitude, and is able to instill confidence, optimism, and belief in the people they support, especially those working on complex social and climate challenges.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Currently in the final year of a bachelor's degree; or
• Currently enrolled in a master's degree; or
• Have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from a bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent studies.

Field of study: Peace and Conflict Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Development Studies, Human Rights, Sociology, Law, Economics, Security Studies, or another relevant social science field.

IT Skills:

• Knowledge and a proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools;
• Ability to use basic design tools (e.g. Canva) to support programme communications, presentations, and visual materials;
• Familiarity with simple data management and tracking tools (e.g. spreadsheets, Airtable or similar platforms) is an asset.

Language Skills:

• Excellent command of English, both written and oral, required;
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS

• UNDP will not pay interns for the internship but will provide a monthly stipend in accordance with the provisions of the UNDP internship policy (as reference, the stipend for 2026 is set at THB 8,302.50 per month; the stipend amount for 2027 is subject to change); all other expenses connected with it will be borne by the intern or the sponsoring Government or institution;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
• Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
• Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.

Disclaimer

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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Same Posting Description for Internal and External Candidates