Background:
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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) China Country Office is part of UNDP—the United Nations' global development network. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to end poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, as well as protect the planet, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, these efforts aim to ensure that improvements in human wellbeing remain within ecological boundaries. We also help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities and institutional capabilities, as well as build resilience, in order to achieve the SDGs.
UNDP China has been working in China over the past four decades, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development outlined in the Government of China’s Five-Year Plans. UNDP assists China in integrating the SDGs into development decisions, promotes the transition to an inclusive, low-carbon economy and a sustainable society, protects biodiversity, and informs China’s international development cooperation engagement to advance global progress on the SDGs and the global climate agendas. In addition, UNDP leverages its global network and South-South Cooperation (SSC) to facilitate mutual knowledge and experience sharing between China and partner countries on best practices and lessons learned to advance the SDGs.
UNDP China’s implementation modalities currently engage more than 15 Ministries and government representatives at the national and sub-national levels in 28 provinces. UNDP China also actively engages the United Nations development system, multilateral and regional institutions, the private sector, philanthropic foundations, academia and think tanks, intergovernmental bodies, and the media to accelerate the SDGs and global climate agendas in China.
The Communications, Innovation and Partnerships Team (CIP) of UNDP China promotes greater understanding and visibility of UNDP’s work by utilizing various communications tools. Fully engaging with the media, social media and leveraging on a strong network of Public-Private Partnerships, the team leads the design, management, and implementation of UNDP’s overall communications strategy, including design and roll out high-impact, multimedia campaigns; programme-oriented communications products; media relations and key events; localization of global content for Chinese audiences; and publications on critical sustainable development issues. On the innovation front, the team is facilitating and prototyping innovative solutions and experimenting with new ways of working to tackle complex development challenges outside the traditional development cycle.
The Intern will have the opportunity to work closely with the Communications, Innovation and Partnerships Team under the overall supervision of the Innovation and Communications Analyst in designing and implementing UNDP China’s innovation and communications strategy.
Description of Responsibilities:
The position will report to the Innovation and Communications Analyst.
Details of the job responsibilities:
1. Communications and Social Media Support (60%)
- Support the implementation of the Country Office communications strategy and action plan, especially for SDG-related initiatives and innovation projects.
- Assist in the creation of digital content for social media campaigns, including drafting posts, preparing visuals, collecting stories, and exploring creative formats.
- Help develop communication materials such as concept notes, background briefs, press releases, infographics, social media assets, and video scripts.
- Provide support in managing UNDP China’s social media platforms (e.g., WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, Kuaishou, etc) by helping draft posts, scheduling content, and monitoring engagement.
- Provide support in managing UNDP China’s website.
- Assist in collecting communications data and conducting basic analysis to help track campaign reach, evaluate communications performance and produce summary reports.
2. Support Project Implementation (30%)
- Support the monitoring and tracking of innovation project progress by helping maintain communication with stakeholders, assisting with risk tracking, and preparing basic project updates and meeting notes.
- Assist with administrative and logistical tasks to ensure smooth project implementation, including helping to organize events with partners, supporting procurement processes, and arranging travel as needed.
- Support financial and operational tasks such as helping check fund availability, assisting with budget monitoring, and ensuring expenditures follow UNDP rules and procedures.
- Assist in coordinating with external consultants, service providers, and vendors to help ensure timely delivery of project activities under the guidance of the supervisor.
- Contribute to the development of new project ideas and concept notes by providing background research and helping ensure alignment with UNDP’s strategic priorities.
- Support knowledge-sharing efforts by helping document lessons learned, good practices, and insights that can inform future work.
3. Other (10%)
- Support other/ad hoc activities as seen relevant and needed.
Competencies:
- Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
- Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
- Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set;
- Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
- Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Qualifications:
Education:
Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
(a) Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
(c) Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
(d) Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.
Major in international relations, social sciences, journalism, communications, marketing, or any related field is desirable.
Experience:
- Experience of drafting audience-targeted contents;
- Prior experience with project implementation and operational support is an advantage;
- Experience working with international organizations, public sector institutions, or non-profits is preferred;
- Knowledge or experience in organizing events, workshops, or conferences is desirable.
Skills:
- Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite, including all online collaboration functions;
- Experienced in managing social media platforms including WeChat layout, video publishing and data analysis;
- Knowledge of designing and video production software and AI tools is an asset (e.g. CapCut, Canva, Photoshop, ChatGPT, etc.).
Required Language:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in Mandarin and English are required.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Please fill all required boxes in the application system including education, experience, nationality etc. and upload below documents with your application:
a) CV and letter of motivation
b) Copy of school transcript
INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS
- Unless intern is financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, Government, foundation or scholarship programme (hereafter “sponsor”), UNDP will provide a stipend, at the rate determined in accordance with UNDP internship policy;
- If intern is financially supported by a sponsor, UNDP will, subject to the rules of the sponsor, pay me the difference, if any, between the financial support provided by the sponsor and the applicable UNDP stipend;
- Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
- Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:
The sponsoring institution, related institution or Government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or
The intern.
- Interns, whether engaged in-person or remotely, are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide self-certification 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.
- Selected candidates for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station where they will undertake the internship. For interns that are neither nationals nor residents of the duty station of the internship, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:
Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.
- UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship. Any cost arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.
- Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert .
