With a total gross domestic product (GDP) of over USD 430 billion, Bangladesh is the second-largest economy in South Asia. Between 2000 and 2019, Bangladesh’s economy registered high GDP growth, averaging around 6% per annum. During this period, there were several notable improvements across different socioeconomic indicators, putting the country on track for a formal graduation from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) in 2026. Bangladesh’s score on the human development index (HDI) increased from 0.49 in 2000 to 0.68, placing it among countries categorized as medium human development. The national poverty rate fell from over 48% in 2000 to less than 19% in 2022. 

Despite the progress, Bangladesh faces several development challenges, and with the current trend, the country is unlikely to meet several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Even before the political crisis in 2024, Bangladesh was grappling with double-digit inflation. According to the latest estimate, GDP is expected to grow by 3.7% in 2025, much slower than the GDP growth in the past. Without an uptick in private investment, the economy cannot diversify, a necessary condition for creating decent jobs. With low social spending and weak capacities, the government is constrained from providing quality services to the people. Bangladesh is also one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and is prone to natural hazards, including climate-induced disasters.   

As the UN’s development agency, UNDP has been in Bangladesh since 1972, promoting democratic governance, climate adaptation, environmental protection and inclusive growth and, helping the country to achieve equitable and sustainable development. UNDP has been a close partner of Bangladesh in co-designing policy solutions, building national capacities, and promoting innovations to help meet its developmental aspirations.   

UNDP Bangladesh invites motivated and enthusiastic individuals to apply for the Human Resources (HR) Internship within the HR Unit. This internship is designed to provide practical exposure to human resources management in a dynamic international development organization while contributing meaningfully to UNDP’s people-focused initiatives.

Why Join UNDP Bangladesh as an HR Intern?

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in human resources within the United Nations system. Interns will work closely with experienced HR professionals and gain exposure to recruitment, learning and development, employee engagement, people analytics, and implementation of UNDP’s People Strategy 2030. The role is structured as a learning-focused experience and is ideal for students and recent graduates interested in HR, organizational development, and people management in a development context.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of HR, Intern will assist in delivering the following tasks:

1. Recruitment and Staffing Support

• Support the preparation and coordination of vacancy announcements.
•  Assist with shortlisting processes by compiling applications and preparing interview documentation.
•  Maintain and update recruitment tracking tools and databases.
• Support the organization of interviews and coordination with hiring managers and candidates.
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2. HR Administration and Operational Support 

• Support the maintenance of HR files (both electronic and physical) in line with UNDP record-keeping standards.
• Assist in onboarding processes, including preparation of induction materials.
• Support contract administation activities, including documentation and follow-up actions.

4. Support the People 2030 Committee and Employee Engagement Initiatives 

• Support the coordination of internal learning initiatives, trainings, and workshops.
• Assist in tracking staff participation in mandatory and elective learning programmes.
• Help compile learning statistics, summaries, and basic dashboards.
• Support the planning, coordination, and implementation of the UNDP Employee Engagement Survey.
• Assist in compiling participation data, preparing summary reports, and tracking follow-up actions.
• Support the implementation of engagement action plans and organization of engagement-related meetings, workshops, and internal communications.
• Support the operationalization of key pillars of the UNDP People Strategy 2030, including diversity, equity and inclusion, wellbeing, career development, and performance management.
• Assist in documentation, tracking, reporting, and preparation of presentations related to People Strategy–related initiatives and indicators.

7. HR Data Management, Reporting, and Operational Support

• Assist in updating HR dashboards, personnel records, and routine HR reports.
• Support data validation and quality checks in HR systems (e.g., Oracle, Quantum).
• Prepare basic HR statistics, tables, and presentations to support decision-making.
• Provide day-to-day operational and administrative support to the HR Unit.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

• Demonstrates strong collaborative skills with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Possesses exceptional analytical capabilities and has keen attention to detail.
• Shows interest in contemporary development issues in Bangladesh, supported by relevant regional research experience.
• Has interest in HR functional area.

Communication

• Communicates clearly, concisely, and effectively in both speech and writing.
• Actively listens, accurately interprets messages, and responds appropriately.
• Seeks clarification through questions and values two-way communication.
• Adapts language, tone, style, and format to suit the audience.
• Shares information openly and ensures transparency in communication.

Teamwork

• Collaborates effectively with colleagues to achieve organizational objectives, valuing diverse ideas and expertise.
• Demonstrates willingness to learn from others and prioritizes team goals over personal interests.
• Supports and adheres to group decisions, even when they differ from personal views.

Planning & Organizing

• Establishes clear, achievable goals aligned with agreed strategies.
• Identifies and prioritizes tasks effectively, adjusting as needed.
• Allocates appropriate time and resources to ensure timely completion of work.

Creativity

• Encourages and influences others to consider innovative ideas.
• Shows openness to new approaches and alternative solutions.
• Challenges conventional thinking and embraces creative problem-solving.

Qualification Requirements:

• Be enrolled in the final academic year or graduated of/from a degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Business Administration, International Business, and Development Studies, Management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings effectively.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other relevant software.
• Fluency in English and Bengali is required.

Prior work experience is not mandatory.

Application procedure:

The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post.
• Current and complete CV in English.
• Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload a maximum of one document.

Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents:

• Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme.
• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected interns must have medical and life insurance.

UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.

Working arrangements:

• Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, if it 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 the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan.
• Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.
• 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.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
• The purpose of the internship 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.
• The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract.

Mentorship and Learning Opportunities

Mentorship

• Each intern will be paired with a dedicated mentor from the HR team.
• The mentor will provide professional guidance, support the intern in navigating the work environment, and offer regular feedback.
• Mentorship will focus on building professional skills, understanding HR practices in the UN system, and supporting the intern’s overall learning and career development during the internship period.

Learning Opportunities

Interns will be exposed to a range of structured and informal learning opportunities, which may include:

• Participation in team meetings, discussions, and internal briefings.
• Attendance at knowledge-sharing sessions and learning events.
• Access to UNDP’s online learning platforms and resources.

Learning topics may include, but are not limited to:

• UNDP’s development programmes and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Human Resources Processes, Stakeholder Management

Ethics, confidentiality, and professional conduct in the UN system