CORPORATE BACKGROUND

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do.

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:

• Sustainable development
• Democratic governance and peacebuilding
• Climate and disaster resilience

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.
 

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND

UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP), with 24 Country Offices covering work in 36 countries and decades of experience in the region, is a trusted adviser and a ‘development partner’ of choice for governments across the region in supporting the localization and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We help our partners in identifying relevant solutions to today’s complex, trans-boundary development challenges. We support them to design and implement large scale development initiatives that deliver lasting social, economic and environmental improvements in countries across the region. 
 
Our support to governments, civil society, the private sector and communities is at every level of their organization: we provide legislative and regulatory advice that transforms governance systems; we provide capacity building and trainings that build nations; and we organize employment schemes that bring jobs to the most vulnerable groups. Guided by UNDP’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan, advisory and implementation work focuses on the following areas: Structural Transformation, Leaving No-one Behind and Building Resilience. In addition to these areas of focus which reflect regional developmental priorities, we emphasize gender, climate change, social protection and inclusive growth, in all aspects of our work.    
 

The Context of Civic Engagement (Open and Inclusive Public Sphere)

Asia and the Pacific is a diverse and rapidly changing region where economic transformation, climate vulnerability, demographic shifts, and digitalization are reshaping the relationship between citizens and institutions. Many countries are simultaneously facing governance challenges such as declining public trust, shrinking civic space, information integrity risks, persistent corruption, and uneven institutional capacity. These dynamics highlight the growing need for governance systems that are more open, inclusive, accountable, and capable of responding to complex and overlapping crises.
An open and inclusive public sphere is a critical foundation for people-centred governance and for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It refers to the spaces—both online and offline—where people can access information, express views, engage in public dialogue, and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes. When these spaces are inclusive, safe, and trusted, they strengthen social cohesion, improve policy effectiveness, and ensure that the voices of women, young people, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and other marginalized groups are reflected in public decisions.
UNDP works across Asia and the Pacific to support open, inclusive, and accountable governance through policy advice, capacity-building, innovation, and partnerships with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders. Advancing an open and inclusive public sphere is a core element of UNDP’s Governance for People and Planet approach and is essential to strengthening trust, resilience, and sustainable development outcomes in the region.
 

Research and Analysis (OIPS) (40%):

• Conduct desk research on civic space, public participation, information integrity, and digital governance;
• Review and synthesize information from policy documents, project reports, and good practices;
• Support data collection, analysis, and documentation for monitoring and learning.
   

• Support the development of outreach, advocacy, and knowledge products, including presentations, briefs, reports, and visual materials;
• Draft and edit communication content for newsletters, blogs, talking points, and social media on governance and inclusive civic space.
   

Coordination and Knowledge Support (25%):

• Provide logistical and administrative support for meetings, workshops, dialogues, and capacity‑building activities;
• Maintain and update knowledge‑management systems, including repositories of research, tools, and communication materials.
   

Other (10%):

• Participate in team meetings and planning discussions, contributing ideas to strategy, research, and content development;
• Perform other tasks as needed to support effective implementation of open and inclusive public sphere initiatives.
  
   

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization, particularly in programmes that support youth, entrepreneurship, climate action, and inclusive development;
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mindset;
• Communicates effectively when working both independently and as part of a team, with the ability to engage respectfully, transparently, and constructively with colleagues, partners, and programme participants;
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and adaptability, showing humility and openness when engaging with people from diverse cultural, socio-economic, gender, religious, and geographic backgrounds;
•  Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view, demonstrating self-awareness, intellectual humility, and a growth mindset;
• Consistently approaches work with energy, integrity, and a positive, constructive attitude, and is able to instill confidence, optimism, and belief in the people they support, especially those working on complex social and climate challenges.
   

• Currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree; or
• Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or
• Have graduated no longer than 1 year from a bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent studies;