Business Operations Internship

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) Unit of Information and Technology Management (ITM) in Copenhagen is responsible for supporting UNDP Country Offices around the world with ICT and Green Energy solutions. Our Unit offers a stimulating and versatile internship in an international environment with contact to various partners from some 166 countries with UNDP presence. We are a team who work in a dynamic and informal atmosphere, and we expect our interns to become vital members of the team.

As an intern, you will be given tasks and opportunities that have a direct global impact on the development capabilities of UNDP. The UNDP ITM internship programme enhances the academic life experience of passionate students as interns and empowers them to become socially responsible, innovative, and environmentally conscious leaders of tomorrow. We bridge the gap between textbook learning and real-life industry experience by taking interns behind the scenes of UNDP’s business and finance processes supporting 160+ country offices, sister agencies and external partners. As part of our dynamic Unit, you will also gain worldwide connections with other top-talented interns and UN staff from other agencies. Our office is located at the UN City in Copenhagen, giving you the opportunity to interact with people outside the UNDP ITM.

UNDP ITM Business Operations interns are part of the Service Delivery team which is the first responder to UNDP Country Offices’ needs and supports ICT and Green Energy projects from a procurement, logistics and finance side. The team works closely with the Copenhagen Unit and colleagues across the globe to support operations and programme work in some of the most challenging work environments with regards to energy and ICT infrastructure. As part of the Crisis Response Group of UNDP, this work also supports UNDP’s resilience and recovery efforts in the wake of natural disasters.

Duration: 6 months (3 February - 31 July 2025)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist Country Offices across the unit´s key service lines in delivering innovative business solutions, sustainable Green Energy services, and world-connecting ICT solutions
• Support the team in procuring IT equipment with detailed tasks ranging from need analysis, requests for quotation, evaluation, purchase, and delivery
• Assist in the preparation of global shipments of equipment with third parties
• Assist in preparing financial analysis to support the team cost recovery functions, reconciliation, budgeting, and financial reporting
• Assist the project management of client-facing delivery and the implementation of new processes inside the unit
• Participate in the recruitment of new interns and assist the team with the outreach internship campaign and onboarding trainings
• Draft and update the Unit’s documentation to support the continuous improvement of Service Delivery processes and procedures, instructions, and templates for best practice
• Assist the Unit in organizing internal and external conferences
• Support the Unit in gathering, consolidating, and analysing data from databases and reports.

Competencies

• Account Management: Has interest and understanding of customer-oriented service delivery process including procurement, logistics and/or finance 
• Innovation: Has interest in delivering innovative and sustainable solutions for Country Offices, focusing on ICT and green renewable innovations 
• Problem Solving: Has proactive hands-on approach, also when operating with limited information 
• Communication: Communicates effectively with colleagues when working in a team and has a proactive attitude with a goal-oriented mindset 
• Project Management: Able to organize and structure different tasks, has good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation 
• Collaboration: Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability 
• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization

Required Skills and Experience  
 

Education:

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

1. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent); 
3. Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (1) and (2) above) in the field of international business, finance, management, economics, administration or equivalent and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation; 
4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Experience:

• Experience in one of the following fields is required: account management, finance, logistics, procurement, HR, or administration 
• Experience with customer-oriented service delivery processes is an advantage 
• Experience with procurement processes is an advantage 
• Experience with cost recovery, reconciliation, budgeting, and financial reporting is an advantage
• Experience with HR recruiting, and training is an advantage 
• Proficiency in Excel is an advantage 
• SharePoint knowledge, preferably SharePoint Online is an advantage 
• CRM/ERP systems knowledge is an advantage 
• Fluent in written and spoken English is required. Working Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage

Conditions 

• In accordance with the UNDP Internship policy, UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend, with the rate that varies depending on the duty location. The stipend will be paid monthly, and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly. 
• Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, government or a third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend. 
• Where an intern is engaged in-person and is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, Government, foundation or scholarship programme, a stipend intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to an in-person internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, is paid by the receiving office (monthly “in-person” stipend rate is USD1,000). A remote reduced stipend (the rate is a subject to the duty station location) is intended to help cover expenses related to the internship, such as internet connections or other means to remain in contact with the receiving office, is paid by the receiving office. 
• Except for the stipend, all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring government, or institutions. 
• Interns are not considered staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. 
• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern. 
• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP, but to complement intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. 
• 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 enrolment in a health insurance plan. 
• The intern is expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programme. 
• Eligible for residency and undertaking internship in Denmark 

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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