The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially opened applications for five internship positions within the Investigations Section of its Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) in New York, United States.

The six-month internship programme is expected to begin around 3 August 2026 and offers aspiring professionals an opportunity to gain practical experience within one of the world’s leading international development organizations.

The internship is designed for students and recent graduates interested in investigations, international development, governance, law, finance, and accountability systems within the United Nations framework. Successful candidates will support the Investigations Section in handling cases related to fraud, corruption, workplace misconduct, retaliation against whistleblowers, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and violations of UNDP regulations and administrative policies.

About the UNDP Office of Audit and Investigations

The Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) plays a critical role in ensuring transparency, integrity, and accountability within UNDP operations globally. The Investigations Section is responsible for examining allegations involving UNDP staff, contractors, implementing partners, and third parties connected to the organization.

Investigations are conducted in accordance with the UNDP Legal Framework for Addressing Non-Compliance with UN Standards of Conduct and the OAI Investigation Guidelines. Through these internships, participants will gain firsthand exposure to investigative processes within an international organization committed to ethical governance and compliance.

Internship Responsibilities

The selected interns will provide technical and administrative support to investigation teams and contribute to a variety of assignments related to ongoing cases.

Key responsibilities include:

Reviewing and analyzing reported cases;
Assisting in drafting investigation plans, reports, witness statements, and official communications;
Supporting interviews with complainants, witnesses, and subjects of investigations;
Conducting open-source research and forensic reviews;
Identifying, organizing, and analyzing evidence;
Assisting in editing and proofreading investigation documents to ensure accuracy and completeness;
Supporting other investigative and administrative tasks as required.

The internship offers a valuable learning experience for candidates seeking careers in investigations, compliance, governance, international law, or oversight functions within international organizations.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

UNDP is seeking applicants who meet at least one of the following academic requirements at the time of application:

Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme such as a master’s degree or higher;
Be enrolled in the final academic year of a bachelor’s degree programme;
Have graduated within one year before the internship start date;
Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme.

Applicants should be studying or have academic backgrounds in fields such as investigations, management, finance, law, international relations, international development, or related disciplines.

Skills and Languages Required

Candidates must demonstrate strong written and spoken English skills. In addition, fluency in Spanish is required for two internship positions, while fluency in French is required for one position.

Knowledge of Arabic, Portuguese, or additional United Nations official languages is considered an advantage.

UNDP also encourages applicants with:

Experience or interest in investigations and disciplinary law;
Open-source research skills;
Editing and proofreading experience;
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate integrity, objectivity, cultural sensitivity, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a professional environment.

Internship Location, Stipend, and Work Arrangements

The internship positions are based at UNDP Headquarters in New York, although some work arrangements may be home-based depending on operational requirements.

The internship will be full-time and last for six months. UNDP noted that interns who are not financially supported by universities, governments, or scholarship programmes may receive a stipend according to UNDP rules and regulations. The stipend is intended to support basic daily expenses such as meals and transportation.

However, interns will be responsible for travel costs, accommodation, visas, medical insurance, and living expenses associated with the internship.

Application Process and Deadline

Interested applicants must submit their application as a single merged file containing:

Current Curriculum Vitae (CV);
A written statement of up to 500 words explaining their motivation for applying and availability for the internship.

Shortlisted candidates may later be required to submit additional supporting documents, including academic transcripts, recommendation letters, proof of enrollment or graduation, medical insurance, and identification documents.

Applications for the UNDP Investigations Internship Programme close on 6 June 2026.

The organization emphasized its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging candidates from underrepresented and marginalized communities to apply.

UNDP also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation, harassment, discrimination, and abuse of authority across all its operations worldwide.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding