Yes — UNDP is hiring interns for its Washington, D.C. office this Spring. Two roles are open: a General Intern and a Communications & Outreach Intern, both at the UNDP Washington Representation Office for three to six months.
Applications go by email — there is no online portal — and the Spring intake closes on 15 January. These are mainly in-person roles in Washington, D.C., although the office notes that remote or hybrid arrangements may be offered in some cases.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Washington Representation Office |
| Roles | General Intern; Communications & Outreach Intern |
| Location | Washington, D.C., United States (in-person; remote or hybrid may be possible) |
| Duration | 3–6 months; Spring intake runs March to 15 June |
| Time commitment | Minimum 3 consecutive months, at least 3 days or 24 hours per week |
| Stipend | Monthly stipend paid; rate varies by location (exact figure not stated) |
| Language | Written and spoken English |
| Deadline | 15 January (Spring intake) |
Two Roles at One Office
UNDP’s Washington office represents the agency in the United States capital. The Communications & Outreach Intern suits students studying communications or a related field, while the General Intern suits students in development-related areas such as economics, public or business administration, or environmental studies.
Two roles posted together is a real advantage: match your degree to the right desk instead of forcing a generic application into one mold. A clear match reads stronger than a stretched one.
Who Can Apply
Check these requirements before you prepare anything:
- You are enrolled in a graduate-level degree programme, both when you apply and during the internship.
- Your field is communications or a development-related field — for example economics, public or business administration, or environmental studies.
- You will return to your studies after the internship ends. This is not a route into full-time employment.
- You are available for at least three consecutive months, working at least three days or twenty-four hours per week.
- You have written and spoken English and a demonstrated interest in global development.
There is no nationality restriction — interns are selected from around the world. But read the visa section below before you get excited.
The Visa Reality Check
The official page is blunt: applicants are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas. The Washington office does not arrange or sponsor visas for its interns.
So sort out your own U.S. work authorization before you commit, and do not apply expecting the office to fix it. The one exception: remote or hybrid arrangements may be offered in some cases, which could suit strong applicants who cannot travel.
The Stipend, Stated Plainly
UNDP interns are eligible for a monthly stipend, and part-time arrangements are pro-rated. The rate varies by location — and the official page publishes no exact figure for Washington.
Do not assume it will cover life in Washington, D.C., one of the most expensive cities in the country. Treat the stipend as support, not a salary, and plan your budget honestly before you accept. If you need a full income to survive, weigh that risk now, not later.
How to Apply (It’s by Email)
There is no online form. Send an email application with these four attachments:
- A cover letter — short, and specific to the Washington office and the role you want.
- Your CV, no longer than one to two pages.
- The completed and signed UNDP Internship Application Form, linked on the official page.
- One reference letter.
Send everything to both addresses on the official page — undp.washington@undp.org and Ebru.Kuran@undp.org — with this exact subject line: “Internship Application – Spring Internship – [Full Name]”, replacing [Full Name] with your own name. Both addresses must be on copy.
Making Your Email Application Count
Email applications get skimmed, so every attachment must earn its place. Keep your cover letter to one page and name the Washington office and the exact role in the first two lines — generic letters are easy to ignore. Fill the internship form completely, since a half-finished official form signals carelessness, and ask your reference writer early so the letter is ready well before the deadline.
Who Should Skip This One
Skip this if you need an employer to handle your U.S. visa, because the office clearly states it will not. Skip it too if you cannot return to your studies afterward, since enrollment is a hard requirement. And if your degree is far from communications or development studies, the UNFPA Supply Chain internship in Copenhagen or the WHO paid internship programme may fit better. Note this is an internship, not a staff job — UNDP also hires administrative staff, such as the UNDP Administrative Assistant role in New York, under different rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this internship open to all nationalities?
Yes — interns are selected from around the world, with no nationality restriction stated. You are, however, responsible for obtaining any necessary visas yourself.
Does UNDP Washington sponsor visas for interns?
No. The official page states applicants are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas. Only apply if you can arrange your own U.S. work authorization, or if a remote or hybrid arrangement is offered.
How much is the monthly stipend?
The exact figure is not stated. The official page only says UNDP interns are eligible for a monthly stipend that varies by location, pro-rated for part-time arrangements.
Can I apply as an undergraduate student?
The stated requirement is enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme, both when you apply and during the internship. You must also return to your studies afterward.
When does the Spring internship run?
From March to 15 June. The internship lasts three to six months, with a minimum of three consecutive months at twenty-four hours per week.
How do I apply — is there an online portal?
There is no portal. Email your cover letter, CV of one to two pages, signed UNDP Internship Application Form, and one reference letter to the two addresses on the official page, using the subject line “Internship Application – Spring Internship – [Full Name]”.
