In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities, and the poorest and most vulnerable.

In Malawi, UNDP’s Governance Portfolio contributes to national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by strengthening institutions, promoting inclusive governance, and advancing human rights and the rule of law. Its work places particular emphasis on: 

• Strengthening oversight and accountability institutions
• Advancing human rights protection systems
• Enhancing access to justice and rule of law

Within this framework, Pillar III – Oversight, Human Rights and Rule of Law supports national institutions, civil society, and government to improve accountability, transparency, and rights-based service delivery.

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network, working to support countries in achieving sustainable development through strengthened institutions, inclusive governance, and resilient systems. In Malawi, UNDP’s Governance Portfolio contributes to national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by supporting governance institutions to enhance accountability, transparency, and effectiveness. The portfolio is structured around three pillars:

1. Effective, Accountable and Responsive Institutions;
2. Civic Engagement and Empowerment;
3. Oversight, Human Rights and Rule of Law.

Pillar III – Oversight, Human Rights and Rule of Law focus on strengthening oversight and accountability institutions, enhancing the capacity of state and non-state actors to promote and protect human rights, and improving access to justice and rule of law systems. The portfolio works closely with government institutions, independent oversight bodies, civil society, and development partners to support reforms, institutional capacity development, and multi-stakeholder engagement.

Within this context, the internship provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in governance and human rights programming, while contributing to ongoing initiatives under Pillar III, including work on oversight mechanisms, access to justice, and Business and Human Rights.

Objectives

The intern will support the Office of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) Rule of Law and Human Rights in analytical, coordination, and knowledge management functions across Pillar III programming.

The internship is designed to:

• Provide practical exposure to international development programming, with a focus on governance, human rights, and rule of law
• Strengthen the intern’s skills in research, policy analysis, coordination, and stakeholder engagement
• Support intercultural learning and professional development within a multilateral environment
• Enable the intern to contribute to ongoing programme activities and knowledge generation under the Governance Portfolio
• Enhance understanding of UNDP’s role in supporting institutional strengthening, accountability, and rights-based approaches to development
• Contribute to UNDP’s broader mission of supporting countries to reduce inequalities and achieve sustainable development outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research Support: Assist in carrying out quality policy research to generate knowledge

• Conduct targeted desk research on governance, human rights, rule of law, and related thematic areas (e.g., Business and Human Rights, oversight and accountability systems).
• Prepare concise briefing notes, summaries, and background materials for meetings and engagements.
• Support review, editing, and formatting of draft documents including concept notes, reports, and knowledge products.
• Assist in compiling and synthesizing information from multiple sources for internal use.

Programme and Coordination Support: Assist in day-to-day coordination of Pillar III activities.

• Support tracking of key activities, timelines, and deliverables across ongoing initiatives.
• Assist in preparing meeting agendas, minutes, and follow-up action points
• Support internal coordination across teams and with implementing partners.
• Maintain simple tracking tools (e.g., activity trackers, stakeholder lists).

Stakeholder Engagement and Event Support: Provide logistical and substantive support to multi-stakeholder processes.

• Assist in organizing workshops, consultations, and meetings (including preparation of materials and participant coordination).
• Support documentation of discussions and key outcomes from engagements
• Assist in stakeholder mapping across government, oversight institutions, civil society, and private sector actors.

Administrative Support: Provide general support to the CTA office as required.

• Assist with routine administrative and logistical tasks.
• Support organization of files and documentation.

Competencies

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization
• Interest in governance, human rights, and rule of law
• Initiative and willingness to learn
• Professionalism and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a structured manner
• Sensitivity to diversity and inclusion
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Be enrolled for a bachelors degree but in final year, or have recently completed a university degree in Law, Public Policy, Governance, Development Studies, Human Rights, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field; within 1 year of graduation or
• Be enrolled in, or have recently completed, a postgraduate degree in any of the above fields, within the first year of graduation

Experience:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Language skills:

• Fluency in English and Chichewa required
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

• Conduct targeted desk research on governance, human rights, rule of law, and related thematic areas (e.g., Business and Human Rights, oversight and accountability systems).
• Prepare concise briefing notes, summaries, and background materials for meetings and engagements.
• Support review, editing, and formatting of draft documents including concept notes, reports, and knowledge products.
• Assist in compiling and synthesizing information from multiple sources for internal use.
• Support tracking of key activities, timelines, and deliverables across ongoing initiatives.
• Assist in preparing meeting agendas, minutes, and follow-up action points
• Support internal coordination across teams and with implementing partners.
• Maintain simple tracking tools (e.g., activity trackers, stakeholder lists).
• Assist in organizing workshops, consultations, and meetings (including preparation of materials and participant coordination).
• Support documentation of discussions and key outcomes from engagements
• Assist in stakeholder mapping across government, oversight institutions, civil society, and private sector actors.
• Assist with routine administrative and logistical tasks.
• Support organization of files and documentation.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Fluency in English and Chichewa required

• Be enrolled for a bachelors degree but in final year, or have recently completed a university degree in Law, Public Policy, Governance, Development Studies, Human Rights, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field; within 1 year of graduation or
• Be enrolled in, or have recently completed, a postgraduate degree in any of the above fields, within the first year of graduation