In Person: Two Internship Opportunities to Support the Regional Programme in Amman, Jordan

Location: Amman, Jordan

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN’s global development network, operates in over 170 countries to address challenges such as poverty, climate change, governance, crisis response, and gender equality. The Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS), headquartered in Amman, oversees the Regional Programme and supports 18 country offices across the Arab region. Leveraging its regional presence and expertise, UNDP is uniquely positioned to drive initiatives that bridge policy gaps and accelerate digital adoption across the Arab region. In 2026, UNDP is launching its new Strategic Plan (2026-2029), focusing on sustainable, inclusive, and future-smart development, coupled with efforts to strengthen resilience, digital and green transitions, and social cohesion. The Regional Programme for the Arab States (2026–2029) translates UNDP’s global ambitions into a regional framework grounded in national and regional priorities.

Project Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Anchored in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in line with the priorities outlined in the UNDP Strategic Plan, the Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) supports the Arab States region to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development, and building resilience to crises and shocks.

In addition to its presence in New York, RBAS has its main office in the Regional Hub based in Amman, Jordan. The Amman Regional Hub hosts regional initiatives under the Regional Programme for Arab States 2026-2029 which touches upon the following areas of work: governance and anti-corruption, regional cooperation for the reduction of poverty and inequality, knowledge economy, conflict prevention and peacebuilding, climate security, youth engagement and empowerment, gender equality, resilience building, among others. Through its regional projects, the Regional Programme generates and avails development knowledge, experience and expertise to countries across the region; supports the creation and development of inter-country initiatives and networks among governmental and non-governmental partners to address shared challenges at a sub-regional and regional levels; facilitates inter-country collaboration on cross-border issues, such as trade, environment, and migration; advances regional dialogues, and experience exchange on development issues that may be sensitive where regional level advocacy may enable country level engagement and action, such as with efforts to fight corruption and exclusionary practices targeting certain groups; and promotes experimentation and innovation to help overcome institutional, financial and knowledge barriers that may be too high for an individual country to surmount.

UNDP is now seeking an intern to support the effective delivery of the Regional Programme for Arab States (2026–2029), with a focus on programme management support, knowledge management and research, and partnership building and communication.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will be based in Amman, Regional Hub office. Responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

1. Knowledge Management & Research

Assist in collecting lessons learned and best practices across regional projects ;

Conduct desk-based research on relevant thematic issues (e.g. inclusive growth, governance, digital innovation, green economy);

Support the preparation of reports, briefs and other knowledge products;

Contribute to the development of knowledge products for internal and external audiences.

2. Partnership Building & Communication

Assist in prepare partnerships briefs, presentations, and communication materials (e,g talking points, backgrounders) for partnership engagement.

Support the identification of and engagement with prospective partners;

Support preparation of partnership proposals and outreach events.

3. Programme Management Support

Support the Regional Programme Team in coordinating and monitoring of projects and initiatives under the Regional Programme.

Assist in organizing programme activities and events.

Provide support to the Results-Based Management specialist in maintaining programme monitoring and reporting.

4. Implementation Support

Support the day-to-day administrative and implementation activities of the Regional Programme.

Assist in organizing meetings, workshops and events, including logistical arrangements.

Support the preparation and follow-up of routine documentation and requests.

Assist in maintaining records, updating trackers and organizing programme files.

Support information gathering, knowledge sharing and coordination across teams.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

Strong sense of collaborative work, excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

Keen attention to detail;

Proven record of interest and work in the development field;

Excellent analytical and research skills;

Research experience;

Interest in the Arab States region and possibly some background in researching the region;

Professionalism

Demonstrated proble