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.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading development organization in Timor-Leste. Since 1999, we have been part of the country's success in many fields including its democratic reforms, inclusive growth, conflict transformation, green solutions and the development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the UN’s lead development agency, UNDP plays a vital role in supporting countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by helping them design and implement effective policies, build leadership skills, and strengthen institutional and partnership capacities.  
UNDP promote the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and forge partnerships with the national institutions, civil society and private sector to assist Timor-Leste in four major development areas:
·      Economic Transformation
·      Accountable Governance 
·      Sustainable Development and Resilience 
·      Gender Equality
We advocate for and support gender equality in all our activities.

The interns will be placed within the Dalan Digital Project under the Democratic Governance portfolio, which focuses on strengthening digital governance systems, legal frameworks, and public service delivery in Timor-Leste. The project aims to support the development of integrated, inclusive, and citizen-centerer digital services by enhancing legislative frameworks, digital infrastructure, and institutional capacity.

Interns will contribute to key areas including digital governance, legislative and regulatory development (such as cybersecurity, data protection, and digital services), accountability, and inclusive service delivery at national and local levels. The Dalan Digital Project supports the Government in building transparent, efficient, and accessible public services, while promoting digital inclusion and participation of citizens, particularly vulnerable groups.

Through this placement, interns will gain exposure to policy development, digital transformation initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building efforts that strengthen governance institutions and processes in line with Timor-Leste’s digital transformation agenda.

Post Context:

The intern will work closely with the Dalan Digital Project team under the guidance of Programme Analysts and relevant specialists, supporting activities related to the development of digital legislative and regulatory frameworks in Timor-Leste.

The internship will focus on legal and policy aspects of digital transformation, including cybersecurity, data protection, digital identity, e-commerce, and digital payments. The intern will contribute to legal research, policy analysis, and the drafting and review of legislative documents, while supporting stakeholder consultations and coordination with key institutions such as government ministries, National Parliament, and the Central Bank.
The intern will gain practical experience in analysing legal frameworks, assisting in the development of laws and regulations, and ensuring alignment with national priorities, ASEAN standards, and international best practices. They will also support monitoring, reporting, and awareness-raising activities related to digital governance and legal reform.
The intern will be based primarily at the UNDP office in Dili, with potential opportunities to participate in stakeholder consultations, workshops, and field activities depending on project needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

 Support in conducting legal research, gathering, analysing, and maintaining information on existing laws, regulations, and policies related to cybersecurity, data protection, digital identity, e-commerce, and digital services. Assist in preparing legal research documents, policy briefs, and analytical reports.
 Assist with daily administrative and coordination tasks, including organizing stakeholder consultations and meetings, maintaining legislative and project records, and supporting documentation processes related to legal framework development.
 Contribute to the development and updating of legislative work plans, timelines, and tracking tools to ensure smooth progress of drafting and consultation processes.
 Assist in the coordination of workshops, consultations, and meetings with key stakeholders, including government institutions, National Parliament, Central Bank, private sector, and development partners, ensuring proper logistics, communication, and documentation of key discussions and outcomes.
 Develop knowledge products including legal summaries, briefing notes, presentations, and reports for internal and external use. Assist in drafting concept notes, policy documents, and legislative-related materials.
 Engage with team members and external stakeholders to support effective communication, collaboration, and information sharing on digital legislative initiatives.
 Assist in the development of pipeline projects by supporting the drafting of concept notes and proposals related to digital governance, cybersecurity, and data protection frameworks.
 Monitor and track the progress of legislative development activities, including drafting processes, stakeholder consultations, and feedback integration, providing updates to support reporting and evaluation.
 Support awareness-raising and communication efforts by preparing content for newsletters, social media, and outreach materials to promote understanding of digital legislation, cybersecurity, and data protection.

Competencies
  • Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP’s procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
  • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
  • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; 
  • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
  • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

  • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;


    The applicant should also have a genuine commitment towards the vision and mission of UNDP, as well as to the UN Core Values.
     

Education, Stipends, Expenses and Insurance: 

Education: 

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

a) Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher); please provide area of study in international development, social sciences, social policy, law, gender or related field
b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent); please provide area of study in international development, social sciences, social policy, law, gender or related field
c) Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
d) Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Ideally, the applicant’s education should be in a relevant field to the internship position to which they are applying for.
 

Stipends: 

  1. Where an intern is engaged in an in-person internship and is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme, a stipend intended to help cover related, basic daily expenses, such as meals and transportation at the duty station, must be paid by the receiving office.
  2. Where an intern is engaged remotely and is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme, a remote stipend intended to help cover related, basic expenses, such as internet connections or other means to remain in contact with the receiving office, must be paid by the receiving office.
  3. The monthly amount of the stipend for remote internships will be based on a standard global rate applicable for all remote internships. The amount of the stipend for in-person internships will be set for each duty station. The monthly stipend rates of both remote and in-person internships will be published annually by the Bureau for Management Services’ Office of Human Resources (BMS/OHR). The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and will be pro-rated for part-time internship arrangements.
  4. Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, Government or third party, UNDP will, subject to the rules of such institution, Government or third party, pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
  5. No other payments of any kind, or advance on the stipend due, will be made to an intern by the receiving office in connection with an internship agreement, except for any reimbursements made to an intern under paragraph 33 of the present policy.
  6. Interns will accrue combined sick and annual leave at the rate of 1 ½ days per month, which will be prorated to the nearest half day for part-time internships. Any accrued leave days not used by the end of the internship will be forfeited. Any unjustified absences during the internship period exceeding a total of nine days or as prorated for part-time internships, will be deducted from the monthly stipend.

Expenses and Insurance: 

  1. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, passports, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of:
    (a) The sponsoring institution, related institution or Government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or
    (b) The intern.
  2. Interns, whether engaged in-person or remotely, are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide self-certification of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.

  3. Selected candidates for in-person internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For interns that are neither nationals nor residents of the duty station of the internship, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:

    (a) Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;
    (b) Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.

UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship.
 

Disclaimer

 

 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

 
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

 
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