Internship - Financial Integrity

Better Than Cash; Oslo fylke; On-site; NOK 167,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly stipend

Part-time arrangements prorated

Job summary

UNDP internship in Oslo supports the Global Policy Centre for Governance (GPCG) work on financial integrity and sustainable development. You will assist literature reviews, drafting reports, and organizing knowledge-sharing engagements with international partners.

Contribute to policy alternatives, knowledge products, and communications materials while engaging with Nordic and Southern countries. The role emphasizes learning, initiative, and teamwork within a UNDP setting.

Qualifications

• Fluent in English, both written and oral.
• Interest in global development and governance.
• Understanding of financial integrity concepts and anti-corruption.
• Team-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Willingness to learn and handle diverse tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist with research on financial integrity and related literature.
• Support strategic engagements and roundtables to share knowledge.
• Contribute to knowledge products and policy materials.
• Help develop project communications and advocacy content.
• Expand the GPCG network with Nordic and Southern partners.
• Take on additional tasks to support the Centre.

Skills

Excellent English communication

Global development interest

Governance understanding

Team player

Organizational skills

Independence / initiative

Flexibility / learning mindset

Knowledge of Global South research

Norway political landscape awareness

International organisation experience

Education

Final-year bachelor/master degree

Economics / international development focus

Job description

Note: The internship is open to citizens who are covered by the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) or have legal residency in Norway.

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.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the backbone of the UN development system. The UNDP Strategic Plan (2026-2029) is grounded in the determination of UNDP to eradicate poverty, the greatest global challenge, indispensable to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. During these next four years, UNDP will continue to support countries’ progress towards high human development, while protecting the planet. Four strategic objectives – prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience and healthy planet – define its strategic direction, powered by three accelerators: digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation; gender equality; and sustainable finance.

The Global Policy Centre for Governance (GPCG), as a core part of UNDP’s Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding (GRP) Hub, supports more inclusive, transparent, accountable and effective governance systems. The Centre identifies persistent development challenges with governance at their core, and applies research, analysis, learning, and UNDP’s convening capabilities to develop, test, and advance practical policy alternatives and solutions.

The GPCG’s work is organized around four interconnected priorities:

• Financial Integrity and systemic derisking approaches that strengthen enabling environments for sustainable development;
• Data sharing and transparency, in support of more effective governance systems;
• Data and analytics related to SDG 16 ‘peace, justice and strong institutions’ including UNDP’s custodianship role for select SDG 16 indicators;
• Gender equality with a focus on the governance barriers related to underutilized gender data and pathways to stronger policy uptake.

Across these areas, the Centre develops and tests integrated policy alternatives and solutions that strengthen national systems, build trust in institutions, and improve the enabling conditions for sustainable development.

An internship is available to support the Centre’s workstream on Financial Integrity. Financial Integrity is understood as a system in which laws, institutions and practices work together to ensure transparency, accountability and integrity in financial flows. Within this framework, the Centre focuses on developing integrated policy alternatives and solutions, including systemic derisking approaches that enhance predictability, accountability, and the enabling environment for sustainable investment in governance. This includes addressing the persistent challenge of illicit financial flows which requires stronger coordination, information sharing and support for national implementation of accountability and enforcement measures.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist with research on financial integrity, including literature reviews, analysis and drafting and formatting reports.
• Support the organisation of strategic engagements to generate knowledge and facilitate learning partnerships on financial integrity issues, e.g. country-level dialogues and global roundtables or side events.
• Support the production of knowledge products of the Centre, in particular on financial integrity.
• Assist in the development of project communications and other advocacy materials including, among others: concept notes, term of reference, presentations, proposals, speeches remarks, social media content.
• Assist in enlarging GPCG’s network of research and knowledge partnerships in Nordic and Southern countries.
• Additional tasks as required to support the work of the Centre.

Competencies and Experience

• Excellent communication skills in English; written and oral.
• Demonstrated interest in global development and the work of international organisations.
• Demonstrated interest in principles of effective governance and dimensions of financial integrity (public financial management and fiscal transparency, anti-corruption, tax justice, de-risking for investment, etc.)
• Team player; works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Flexible mindset and eagerness to learn and take on diverse tasks.
• Knowledge of key research institutions in Global South and/or Norway (desired).
• Knowledge of political landscape in Norway (desired).
• Experience from a developing country and/or international organisation or related is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Working knowledge in a Scandinavian language is an asset

Eligibility

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent); preferably in economics, international finance, international development, or relevant social sciences.
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher); preferably in economics, international finance, international development, or other relevant social sciences.
• Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined above and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Application process

Estimated start date is 4 January 2027.

General Conditions

1. In accordance with the UNDP Internship policy, UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend, with a rate that varies depending on the duty location. The stipend will be paid monthly, and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
2. Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
3. Except for the stipend, all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring government or institutions.
4. Interns are not considered staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
5. 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.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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.