RBA Directorate/Front Office Intern

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); New York (NY); On-site; USD 11,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly stipend

Job summary

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) in New York invites a graduate student intern to support a structured documentation and task-tracking system within the Regional Bureau for Africa. The role enhances coordination, workflow efficiency, and knowledge management under the Special Advisor to the RBA Director.

The intern will gain hands-on experience in dashboards, calendar management, minutes, and process optimization, including AI-assisted tasks and reporting.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a graduate school programme in Economics, African Studies, History, Social Science, International Development or related field
• Must start internship within one year of graduation
• Preferably some experience in international development or UN systems
• Excellent analytical and written/verbal communication skills
• Experience designing infographics is an asset

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage a centralized task-tracking system for Directorate activities
• Take meeting minutes and upload within 24 hours to shared platforms
• Develop dashboards, logs and reminders to improve workflow
• Support AI-enabled tools for administrative tasks and knowledge management
• Maintain SharePoint and other document repositories with consistent organization
• Conduct research and contribute to briefing notes, speeches and talking points

Skills

Microsoft 365

SharePoint

Power Automate

Dashboards

AI tools interest

Education

Graduate degree toward relevant field

Tools

Microsoft 365 suite

SharePoint

Power Automate

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. (https://www.undp.org/careers)

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) Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) provides strategic oversight, quality assurance, management support, and regional analysis across country offices and global initiatives.

The RBA Directorate seeks a highly motivated graduate student to support the establishment of a structured documentation and task-tracking system. The intern will contribute to improving coordination, workflow efficiency, and knowledge management within the Directorate.

The intern will report directly to the Special Advisor to the RBA Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordination & Task Management

• Maintain and update a centralized task-tracking system for Directorate activities
• Manage calendar coordination and support planning of strategic meetings and events
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive tasking log (deadlines, follow-ups, deliverables)
• Liaise with country offices and HQ units to ensure timely submissions and follow-ups

2. Documentation & Knowledge Management

• Take meeting minutes and upload within 24 hours to shared platforms
• Maintain organized document repositories (SharePoint and shared drives)
• Ensure documentation is accurate, accessible, and up to date
• Support document review processes and provide feedback when requested

3. Workflow Optimization & Digital Innovation

• Design and implement user-friendly tracking systems (dashboards, logs, reminders)
• Introduce automation solutions (e.g., Power Automate, task trackers)
• Identify inefficiencies and propose practical process improvements
• Support integration of AI-enabled tools for administrative and analytical tasks

4. Monitoring & Analysis

• Develop and maintain a qualitative monitoring system for Directorate activities
• Track progress of key initiatives and provide status updates
• Conduct research and contribute to briefing notes, speeches, and talking points

Expected Deliverables

• Provide minutes within 24 hours of meetings. Keep and maintain a ‘minutes’ folder on shared Directorate platform,
• Work with the Directorate Executive Assistant to maintain a color-coded calendar (separate from the one she directly handles for the Director) of events and meetings,
• Tasking log to keep track of deadlines, follow-ups, and general to-dos of Directorate requests and events. Populate and keep log up to date,
• Regularly follow up with teams on quarterly events. Circulate table and ensure it is completed and always updated,
• Stay in constant communication with and remain available to country offices/Headquarters units to ensure meeting of deadlines and submission of documents. Review the documents (if requested) and return with edits/feedback,
• Either grant personalized access to tasking logs or create a system checklist to make sure documents are getting drafted in a timely manner, sent to be edited, and submitted to the Special Advisor,
• Long term; conduct research on topics/events relating to briefing documents (speeches, talking points, etc.).
• Update and organize information on the RBA SharePoint to ensure documents are accurate and easy to access
• Design and maintain a simple, user‑friendly digital task‑tracking or monitoring system for Directorate activities, including automated reminders or visual status updates, and document lessons learned for sustainability.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Strong organizational and multitasking ability
• High level of integrity, discretion, and reliability
• Ability to work independently under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Digital & Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Excel, SharePoint, Planner)
• Experience with task-tracking tools and dashboards
• Familiarity with workflow automation tools (e.g., Power Automate)
• Interest or experience with AI tools (e.g., Copilot, generative AI)

Communication & Teamwork

• Clear and effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to tailor messaging to different audiences
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work across diverse teams

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher in Economics, African Studies, History, Social Science, International Development, Development Studies or other relevant fields),
• Have graduated with a university degree (as described above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Have demonstrated 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.
• Preferably some relevant experience in international development or related area; Knowledge of the UN system is an advantage,
• Excellent analytical skills are required and experience designing infographics is an advantage.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages; experience with digital task management, process automation, or workflow optimization tools is a strong advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required,
• Knowledge of French is a major asset.

Intern conditions:

• UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship,
• UNDP offers a modest monthly stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station,
• All other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government, or institution,
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship,
• The intern is 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,
• The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan,
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) (https://jobs.undp.org/cj_us_permanent_card_holders.cfm)

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.