Ambitious students and recent graduates often search for roles that deliver real responsibility, measurable outcomes, and a front-row view of how global institutions evolve to meet complex challenges across regions, teams, and time zones under demanding operational realities that require both rigor and empathy. That search now intersects with a concrete opportunity: ten in-person internships within the United Nations Development Programme’s Office of Human Resources, embedded in the Talent Development Unit (TDU) at UN City, Copenhagen, during the 2025–2026 cycle. The cohort will support how UNDP designs and scales learning, leadership, and career pathways, with emphasis on digital enablement and evidence-based practice. Beyond a résumé line, the roles promise immersion in a people-centered engine that helps UNDP deliver development results through better onboarding, stronger managers, and a robust leadership pipeline.
What These Internships Are About
The internships are anchored in TDU, a unit that equips UNDP’s global workforce with the learning strategies, leadership offerings, and career frameworks needed to perform in diverse, rapidly changing contexts. Interns will join cross-functional teams that set standards for onboarding and management development, craft leadership experiences for different career stages, and steward digital platforms that make learning accessible at scale. Copenhagen serves as the in-person base, connecting interns to a sustainability-focused campus and a network of professionals whose work ripples through more than 170 countries and territories. The setting encourages collaboration, iteration, and practical delivery against clear milestones.
Moreover, the scope extends beyond classroom design to the mechanics that drive adoption and impact. Interns will help translate strategic priorities into tangible assets—curricula, playbooks, dashboards, and communications—that are tested with users and adapted based on feedback. The goal is not just activity, but learning that changes behavior and informs decisions. In doing so, the roles mirror broader HR shifts toward personalized, blended learning; data-informed program management; and leadership development aimed at building resilient, inclusive teams. The work sits at the intersection of technology, content, and human experience, where small design choices can unlock scale and relevance for thousands of staff.
Who Should Apply And What You’ll Work On
The cohort targets current students and recent graduates within one year of completion who bring curiosity, organization, and a knack for connecting dots across disciplines. A user-focused mindset counts as much as subject expertise: candidates interested in talent management, leadership, instructional design, or learning technologies will find direct applications for their interests. Strong communicators with an eye for clarity and a respect for evidence will thrive, as will those who value inclusivity and seek to serve a multicultural workforce. UNDP encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and considers the internships an entry point to careers that blend social impact with operational excellence.
Day to day, work will span seven domains integral to the talent development lifecycle. In onboarding and people management, interns may refine toolkits that help managers coach, give feedback, and set direction. In leadership development, they may support program logistics and content for cohorts across regions and grades. Learning design and content development will involve scripting, editing, and creating multimedia assets for e-learning. Learning technology assignments could include optimizing LMS workflows and parsing analytics. Career development tasks may map growth pathways and resources. Data and knowledge management will synthesize metrics and insights, while communications will craft narratives that drive awareness and participation.
What You’ll Gain And How To Apply
The internships emphasize practical outputs that build a credible portfolio. Interns will contribute to project plans, iterate on content with subject matter experts, and translate data into decisions that shape program improvements. Exposure to platforms and production workflows will sharpen digital fluency, while stakeholder engagement will hone facilitation and coordination skills. The Copenhagen location adds a lived experience of working in a diverse, mission-driven environment where sustainability is not a slogan but an operating principle. By the end of the placement, interns can expect a sharper grasp of how enterprise learning functions drive organizational performance and culture.
For eligibility, applicants must meet UNDP’s general internship requirements and commit to in-person work in Copenhagen for the assigned period within the 2025–2026 window. Applications are due by December 3, 2025, and should be submitted through official UNDP channels only, as information distributors and aggregators are not hiring authorities. Strong applications will articulate a clear learning agenda, connect past work or study to the seven focus areas, and demonstrate readiness to operate in a data-informed, user-centered way. The call ultimately favored candidates who translated motivation into concrete examples, aligned their availability with program needs, and presented a crisp case for how they would add value from day one.
