UNDP Remote Research Associate Careers 2025 | 5 Home-Based Internships in Sustainable Development.We are advertising five remote Research Associate internships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for 2025. These home-based opportunities allow students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in sustainable energy, climate policy, and international development research from anywhere in the world. Applications are open now via the UNDP Careers Portal.
Background & Job Description
We are pleased to share an excellent entry-level opportunity with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). As the UN’s global development network, UNDP advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. It is on the front lines of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in nearly 170 countries and territories.
The UNDP Remote Research Associate Careers for 2025 consist of five distinct internship positions designed for the next generation of sustainable development leaders. These roles are hosted within the Sustainable Energy Hub (SEH) under the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), a central team driving UNDP’s thought leadership and programmatic guidance on clean energy and climate action.
These are full-time, home-based internships with a duration of three months. They are structured to provide participants with meaningful, hands-on experience by integrating them into ongoing research and knowledge management activities. Interns will contribute directly to analytical work that informs global strategies and supports country offices in accelerating the energy transition. This is an ideal platform for those seeking to build a professional portfolio in the international development sector with the flexibility of working remotely.
Tasks and Key Responsibilities
Selected Research Associates will be engaged in a variety of substantive tasks, providing a comprehensive internship experience. Key responsibilities include:
- Research and Knowledge Synthesis: Conducting targeted desk research on sustainable development, climate change mitigation, and energy policy topics. This involves performing systematic literature reviews, analyzing UNDP and partner reports, and synthesizing findings into concise briefs and analytical papers to inform policy development.
- Knowledge Management and Data Organization: Providing direct support in structuring and curating knowledge repositories. This includes tagging and organizing case studies, tools, and best practices, as well as assisting in the maintenance of digital knowledge platforms and databases to ensure information is accessible and usable.
- Communications and Storytelling: Assisting in the development of communication materials by drafting policy notes, blog posts, and internal newsletters. A key task is to translate complex technical research findings into clear, compelling narratives for a variety of stakeholders.
- Data and Digital Management: Compiling and organizing datasets relevant to sustainable energy and climate indicators. This role may involve working with geospatial or socio-economic data and developing clear metadata documentation to ensure data integrity and transparency across publications.
UNDP Remote Research Associate Careers 2025 | 5 Home-Based Internships in Sustainable Development
Qualifications
Education and Certification:
- Candidates must be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (Master’s or PhD), or be a recent postgraduate graduate (within one year of graduation) in a field such as International Development, Environmental Studies, Climate Policy, Economics, Political Science, or Sustainable Energy.
- Exceptional final-year undergraduate students in a relevant discipline are also eligible to apply.
Experience:
- Demonstrable research and analytical writing skills, acquired through academic work, previous internships, or advocacy roles.
- A strong interest and some foundational knowledge in sustainable development, climate change, or energy policy is essential.
- Experience with knowledge management systems, content curation, or data organization is a valuable asset.
- Technical proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Python, R) or visualization software is highly desirable.
- Proven ability to work effectively both independently in a remote setting and collaboratively as part of a diverse, virtual team.
Additional Information
Location and Contract Details:
These are fully remote (home-based) positions. The internship contract is for a period of three months on a full-time basis.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Stipend: A monthly stipend may be provided to help cover expenses related to remote work, such as internet connectivity.
- Leave: Interns accrue 1.5 days of leave per month, which can be used for sick or annual leave.
- Insurance: Interns are responsible for securing their own adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship.
- Career Development: This internship offers unparalleled networking opportunities with development professionals and provides significant experience to enhance a CV for a future international career.
Important Disclaimer:
It is important for applicants to understand that completion of a UNDP internship does not lead to any expectation or guarantee of future employment with the organization.
Application Process:
Interested and qualified candidates are directed to apply online through the official UNDP Careers Portal. The application typically requires a current CV, a motivation letter, and proof of enrollment or graduation. We encourage early application due to the competitive nature of these positions.
Diversity and Inclusion:
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from minority groups, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities.
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