Europe & CIS

Conditions of Internship at UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre

Objective

The UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre Internship Programme offers a small group of outstanding university students the opportunity to acquire experience working as interns in the United Nations system. The programme provides a compact understanding of UNDP' s development policies,

thematic priorities, and technical cooperation activities. Interns specialize in the areas of poverty alleviation, gender, democratic governance and human rights, combating HIV/AIDS and other epidemiological development threats, promoting sustainable environmental and energy policies, as well as preventing conflict and assisting in post-conflict recovery,  trade,  civic engagement, Millennium Development Goals. During internship they acquire practical experience in various aspects of project management in an international work environment.

What to expect:

Work in a UNDP office and exposure to the UN system and operations, namely:

• Assisting in preparing workshops/seminars
• Research work on development subjects
• Writing documents, cataloguing information
• Publishing knowledge storied/best practices
• learning and developmental experiences that compliment advanced studies

Eligibility Criteria:

The following minimum qualifications are required:

• Enrollment in a degree programme in a graduate school (second University degree or higher) in a development-related field such as economics, international relations, sociology, public or business administration, political sciences or environmental studies.
• Excellent written and spoken English, knowledge of Russian is an asset.
• Completion at least 4 years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution
• Excellent computer knowledge (Microsoft Office applications).
• Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Duration of Internship:

Assignments may vary in length, according to availability and academic requirements as well as the needs of the centre. Minimum internship stay is six weeks, maximum – six months (exceptionally nine months).  UNDP offers part-time or full-time (5 days/week, 40 hours/week) internships throughout the year. Preference is given to applicants who stay for more than 3 months 

Health and Medical Insurance 

UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship.

Applicants for internship must therefore carry adequate and regular medical and life insurance.  

Proof of medical coverage/visa must be provided before the internship commences (Conditions for the insurance are given in the attached Internship Policy).  

Financial Aspects: 

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme must be borne by:

• the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students;
• the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.

General Living Costs in Bratislava 

Accomodation: monthly rent in one room apartment about 400-500EUR; 2-3 room apartments 500-600 EUR (depends on location, furnishing, equipment,etc; energy usually paid extra + 80EUR-120EUR).  Please note the cost of an appartment in the center, close to UNDP, is usually the highest - starting from 450 EUR).
Meals: about 15 EUR/day
This is just a general orientation information serving for budgetary purposes. 

Useful links for searching on suitable accommodation as well as more updated costs of living in Bratislava: www.reality.sme.sk; www.reality.sk; www.roommate.sk; www.abcslovensko.sk

Application process:

Applicants for internships must send the following documentation before their arrival in Bratislava

• duly completed UNDP Internship application form
• copy of the most recent CV
• letter from his University confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
• a copy of his/her school transcript;
• a letter of endorsement from a senior faculty member who has directly supervised the student in the recent past and who is fully acquainted with the student's performance;
• a brief paper setting out the reasons why he/she is seeking an internship with UNDP and what is expected from the experience.

On the day of their arrival before commencing the work they should submit:

• signed "UNDP Internship agreement" form
• confirmed and signed copy of “Medical certificate of good health” from a recognized physician
• proof of medical insurance valid for Slovakia
• proof of life/accident insurance for locations in which internship will be carried out. (feel free to review the List of insurance carriers offering expatriate individual life/accident insurance and Internship guidelines).

Selection process:

All applications for internship at UNDP BRC are kept in an internal on-line database open for review by professional staff looking for suitable interns. Selection is an ongoing process and only successful applicants will be contacted.

Status of an Intern:

Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity. The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.  Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship.  There must be minimum 3 months break after internship before any type of UNDP contract is signed. UN Office of Legal Affairs strongly discourage any practice involving sending UN interns on field activities or official trips.  

UNDP Internship Guidelines