Intern – Investigations Section (2 posts)

Background  

The Investigations Section of the Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) is seeking to recruit two (2) interns for a period of six months, beginning on 15 July 2025. The Investigations Section of OAI is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct, such as fraud, corruption, retaliation on whistleblowers, workplace harassment, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority, violation or willful disregard of UNDP regulations, rules, and administrative instructions, which involve UNDP staff and other personnel. The Investigations Section also investigates allegations of fraud and other financial irregularities committed by contractors, implementing partners and other third parties deemed detrimental to UNDP. OAI conducts investigations in accordance with the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with UN Standards of Conduct and the OAI Investigation Guidelines. This is a call for an internship for the period 2025. OAI will select the top two (2) applicants for this internship. Other qualified applicants will be placed in OAI’s Roster for Internship under Investigations Sections.
 

The interns provide support to the Investigations Section in the conduct of investigations into allegations of various types of wrongdoing. In carrying out this overall function, the interns may be requested to:

• Assist in reviewing cases reported to OAI to determine appropriate referrals;

• Assist in drafting documents and communications with respect to cases under investigation, including investigation plans, witness statements, investigation reports, closure reports and other documents;

• Assist in conducting interviews with subjects, complainants, or witnesses;

• Assist in identifying, collating and analyzing potential evidence, including carrying out open-source

research and forensic reviews;

• Assist with editing investigation reports and other documents for quality assurance purposes;

• Undertake other related tasks as required.

• Demonstrates integrity;

• Demonstrates the ability to remain objective, neutral, and independent;

• Displays cultural sensitivity;

• Produces timely, quality outputs;

• Exercises sound judgment/analysis;

• Ability to handle multiple tasks;

• Writes clearly and effectively; and

• Speaks clearly and convincingly.

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

(a) Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher) in investigations, management, finance, law, international relations, international development, journalism or related fields must be able to take on a full time 6-month internship starting 15 July 2025

(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 (e.g. must have graduated no earlier than 15 July 2024);

(d) Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program on a full time 6 month internship starting 15 July 2025.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (word, power point, excel) required;

• Interest and/or experience in dealing with investigations, administrative and/or disciplinary law is

desirable;

• Experience in copy-editing and proof reading is desirable; and

• Experience conducting open-source research is desirable.

Working Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required;

• Fluency in French is highly desirable;

Work arrangements:

• Internships are located at UNDP Headquarters in New York or can be home based

• Internships will be full-time;

Application process:

 The application should contain the following uploaded as one file:

• Current curriculum vitae (CV);

• Original text of up to 500 words addressing the following question: (i) why you would like to be considered for the internship and your primary motivation to apply for this role; (ii) timeframe and availability for an internship with OAI;

• Please note that the UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents (CV/ Resume, Cover Letter etc. into a single file before uploading).

Terms and Conditions:

Internships within the UN system are subject to following conditions, which the candidates should familiarize themselves with prior to applying:

• Internship will be for a period of six months.

• Interns who are not financially supported by an institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation, or scholarship programme, will receive a stipend in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. A stipend is intended to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, must be paid by the receiving office.

• Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of: (a) The nominating institution, related institution, or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or (b) The intern.

• 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.