United Nations Development (UNDP) Internship Opportunity in Kigali, Rwanda

February 12, 2025

8 minutes read

Introduction to UNDP

The United Nations Development (UNDP) is a global organization that operates in over 170 countries and territories, working to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and promote sustainable development. It plays a crucial role in supporting governments to build institutional capabilities, leadership skills, and partnerships to ensure long-term development.

At its core, UNDP aligns its mission with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which encompasses Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at achieving a world free of poverty and inequality. Some of the key focus areas of UNDP include:

Sustainable Development – Assisting governments in developing policies and programs that promote economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding – Strengthening institutions, promoting transparency, and ensuring justice and human rights for all.
Climate and Disaster Resilience – Enhancing disaster preparedness, promoting climate adaptation, and supporting environmental sustainability.

In addition, UNDP strongly emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that people from all backgrounds, including marginalized communities, have equal opportunities.

Internship Overview

This internship position is within the Resident Representative (RR) Office at UNDP Rwanda. The purpose of the internship is to provide students and recent graduates with hands-on experience in an international work environment, particularly in development-related projects and governance.

Job Identification Details

Job ID: 24049
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Agency: UNDP
Job Type: Internship
Practice Area: Management
Bureau: Regional Bureau for Africa
Contract Duration: 6 months
Application Deadline: February 25, 2025
Posting Date: February 10, 2025

Roles and Responsibilities of the Internhttps://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/23616

The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Resident Representative (RR) and will be responsible for several administrative and coordination tasks, contributing to the efficient functioning of the RR Office.

1. Ensuring Effective and Efficient Functioning of the RR Office (70%)

Maintain the Resident Representative’s calendar, schedule appointments, and arrange meetings with high-level visitors and stakeholders.
Prepare briefing materials for the RR’s meetings and missions, ensuring all necessary documents are readily available.
Manage the RR’s missions and representation schedule, ensuring timely coordination and updates.
Share the Resident Representative’s daily calendar with relevant parties every morning.

2. Providing Effective Communication Support (20%)

Maintain electronic and paper filing systems to ensure easy accessibility and confidentiality of documents.
Coordinate the flow of information within the office, ensuring smooth communication between the RR Office, UN Country Team, and the UN Coordination Unit.
Follow up on deadlines, commitments, and actions taken by the RR, ensuring proper reporting.
Screen incoming calls and correspondence, directing them to the appropriate personnel.

3. Supporting Additional Office Activities (10%)

Assist in various ad-hoc activities as needed, including research, data analysis, and administrative support.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Educational Requirements

To qualify for this internship, candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Be in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree program.
Be currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program.
Have graduated from a Master’s program within the past one year.

The preferred fields of study for this internship include:

Communications
Journalism
Public Relations
Other related fields

Technical Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Basic data analysis skills to assist with research and reporting.
Familiarity with graphic design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and In-Design is an added advantage.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.
Kinyarwanda and French are considered assets.
Knowledge of other UN languages is an added advantage.

Key Competencies and Attributes

Excellent writing skills for preparing reports, correspondence, and official communications.
Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail.
Understanding of gender and development issues, particularly in the African context.
Effective teamwork and communication skills, both independently and in a group setting.
Proactive and goal-oriented mindset with strong analytical capabilities.
Cultural awareness and adaptability to work in diverse environments.

Internship Conditions and Benefits@vacancyspaces.com

Stipend and Financial Support

UNDP provides a monthly stipend to interns, in line with its internship policy.
However, interns must cover their own expenses related to accommodation, travel, and other personal costs.

Health and Insurance Requirements

Interns are required to have valid health insurance coverage during the entire internship period.
The UNDP does not cover medical expenses, accidents, or injuries that occur during the internship.

Visa and Travel Arrangements

Interns are responsible for obtaining their own visas and arranging their travel to and from Rwanda.
UNDP does not provide financial assistance for travel, accommodation, or relocation.

Employment Restrictions

Interns cannot apply for or be appointed to a full-time UNDP position during the internship period.
However, the experience gained can be valuable when applying for UNDP roles after the internship ends.

Additional Information and Disclaimers

1. Non-Discrimination Policy

UNDP is committed to ensuring equal opportunity and inclusion. The organization does not discriminate based on:

Gender
Race
Religion
Disability
Ethnic origin
Sexual orientation
Age
Any other protected characteristic

2. Zero Tolerance for Misconduct

UNDP maintains a zero-tolerance policy for:

Sexual exploitation and abuse
Sexual harassment
Abuse of authority

All selected candidates undergo rigorous background checks to ensure compliance with UNDP’s ethical standards.

3. Fraud Warning

UNDP does not charge any fees for job applications, processing, interviews, or training.
Any request for payment claiming to be from UNDP is a scam.
Applicants should be cautious of fraudulent job offers that misuse UNDP’s name and branding.

Why Apply for This Internship?

1. Gain Hands-On Experience in an International Organization

Interning at UNDP provides exposure to global development programs, policymaking, and governance in an international setting.

2. Build a Strong Professional Network

Working at UNDP connects interns with professionals from diverse backgrounds, fostering valuable networking opportunities.

3. Develop Key Professional Skills

The internship provides a structured learning environment, improving skills in:

Research and data analysis
Communication and reporting
Project management
Administrative coordination

4. Contribute to Meaningful Change

UNDP’s work focuses on solving real-world development challenges, making this internship an opportunity to contribute to positive change in Rwanda and beyond.

Conclusion

The UNDP Internship in Kigali, Rwanda is a fantastic opportunity for final-year students, Master’s students, or recent graduates interested in gaining hands-on experience in development work. The position provides valuable exposure to international governance, project coordination, and administrative tasks in a diverse and dynamic work environment.

If you meet the qualifications and are passionate about sustainable development, this internship could be the perfect stepping stone for your career in the UN or other international organizations

That’s a lot of words! I’ll provide an even more detailed breakdown of the UNDP Internship in Kigali, Rwanda, expanding on each section, adding more context, background information, and insights. This will be an in-depth guide to help you understand everything about the opportunity.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Internship – Kigali, Rwanda

Introduction to UNDP
Understanding the UNDP’s Role in Development
Overview of the UNDP Internship
Job Identification and Key Details
Internship Duties and Responsibilities
Required Skills and Qualifications
Competencies and Expected Qualities
Technical and IT Skills
Language Requirements
Internship Conditions, Stipend, and Benefits
Health, Insurance, and Legal Considerations
Visa, Travel, and Accommodation Responsibilities
Career Growth and Post-Internship Opportunities
Why Should You Apply?
Challenges and Considerations
How to Apply and Important Deadlines
Conclusion

1. Introduction to UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of the most influential global organizations working on international development. It has operations in over 170 countries and focuses on poverty eradication, sustainable development, governance, and climate resilience.

UNDP partners with governments, NGOs, civil society, and the private sector to help countries develop policies, programs, and institutional frameworks that drive positive social and economic change.

Some of the main objectives of UNDP include:

Eliminating poverty and ensuring equitable growth.
Promoting good governance and democratic institutions.
Enhancing disaster preparedness and environmental sustainability.
Ensuring gender equality and social inclusion.
Advancing human rights and justice worldwide.

UNDP’s work is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a roadmap for global development until 2030.

2. Understanding UNDP’s Role in Development

The UNDP Rwanda office works closely with the Government of Rwanda, international donors, and civil society to develop strategies and programs that help the country achieve its national development goals.

Rwanda has made remarkable progress in economic growth, poverty reduction, and social development, and UNDP has played a significant role in these achievements.

Some of the key UNDP projects in Rwanda include:

Supporting entrepreneurship and youth employment through innovation hubs and funding opportunities.
Strengthening institutions to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Enhancing climate resilience by supporting policies that address environmental sustainability and disaster risk reduction.
Empowering women and marginalized communities through targeted programs.

As an intern at the UNDP Kigali Office, you will have the chance to work on real-world projects that contribute to Rwanda’s development agenda.

3. Overview of the UNDP Internship

The internship program is designed to provide students and recent graduates with a chance to gain practical work experience in a global organization.

Key Benefits of the Internship

Exposure to international development programs.
Hands-on experience working in a UN agency.
Professional networking opportunities with UN staff, government officials, and development partners.
Development of key skills such as research, communication, data analysis, and project management.
The opportunity to work on high-impact initiatives.

4. Job Identification and Key Details

Category	Details
Job Title	Intern with RR Office
Job ID	24049
Location	Kigali, Rwanda
Agency	UNDP
Practice Area	Management
Contract Type	Internship
Duration	6 months
Schedule	Full-Time
Application Deadline	February 25, 2025

5. Internship Duties and Responsibilities

A. Ensuring Efficient Functioning of the RR Office (70%)

Manage the Resident Representative’s (RR) schedule, including meetings, events, and appointments.
Assist in preparing briefing materials and reports for meetings.
Maintain and update official documents and correspondence.

B. Providing Communication and Information Support (20%)

Manage internal and external communication within the office.
Facilitate information sharing between UNDP and other UN agencies.
Screen emails, calls, and official correspondence.

C. Supporting Additional Office Tasks (10%)

Participate in ad-hoc activities and special projects.
Support the organization of events, conferences, and workshops.
Conduct data analysis and research when needed.

6. Required Skills and Qualifications

To qualify, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

Be in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree.
Be currently enrolled in a Master’s degree.
Have graduated within the last one year.

Preferred Fields of Study

Communications
Journalism
Public Relations
Political Science
International Relations

7. Competencies and Expected Qualities

Excellent writing and research skills.
Strong organizational abilities to handle multiple tasks.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Strong problem-solving skills.

8. Technical and IT Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Experience with data analysis tools is a plus.
Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign is an asset.

9. Language Requirements

Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
French and Kinyarwanda are advantages.
Knowledge of another UN language is beneficial.

10. Internship Conditions, Stipend, and Benefits

UNDP provides a monthly stipend (amount based on UNDP Internship Policy).
Interns cover their own expenses (accommodation, travel, food, etc.).

11. Health, Insurance, and Legal Considerations

Interns must have health insurance during their internship.
UNDP does not cover medical costs, accidents, or injuries.

12. Visa, Travel, and Accommodation Responsibilities

Interns must arrange their own visas and travel.
UNDP does not provide relocation assistance.

13. Career Growth and Post-Internship Opportunities

Excellent networking opportunities.
Exposure to international organizations and development agencies.
A valuable experience for future UN careers.

14. Why Should You Apply?

Gain hands-on experience in a prestigious UN agency.
Work on real development challenges.
Develop professional skills that will boost your career.

15. Challenges and Considerations

The internship is unpaid aside from the stipend.
Workload can be demanding.
Must be financially prepared to cover living costs.

16. How to Apply and Important Deadlines

Application Deadline: February 25, 2025.
Apply through UNDP’s official website.

17. Conclusion

This internship is a unique opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain experience in international development. If you meet the requirements, apply now and take a step toward a career in global development! 🚀

February 12, 2025

8 minutes read