Research & Partnerships Intern

Background

The mission of the Human Development Report Office (HDRO) is to advance human development. The goal is to contribute towards the expansion of peoples opportunities, choice, and freedom. HDRO works towards this goal by promoting innovative new ideas, advocating practical policy changes, and constructively challenging policies and approaches that constrain human development. HDRO works with others to achieve change through writing and research, data analysis and presentation, and outreach and advocacy work.

One of its best-known outputs is the global Human Development Report (HDR), first launched in 1990. These independent Reports are intended to challenge policies and approaches that constrain human development, promote innovative concepts, and advocate practical policy changes. In each Report a different development theme is examined in depth using available data and new analyses relevant to the chosen topic, resulting in both an assessment of status as well as a series of policy recommendations for the future.

HDROs pioneering metrics, not least the Human Development Index, have become a global standard setter in measuring development progress.

HDRO is uniquely positioned within the UN system as an independent research office that combines the credibility and convening power of the United Nations with the freedom to challenge prevailing narratives and explore frontier issues. It works with multi-stakeholder partners globally to achieve change through writing and research, data analysis and presentation, support to national and regional analysis as well as outreach and advocacy work.

The 2026 Human Development Report explores how changes in our planetary systems are shaping the future of human development—and how advances in human development can, in turn, address the threats to those systems. It looks at how planetary pressures intersect with health, education, livelihoods, and wellbeing, and asks how societies can cultivate more constructive, mutually beneficial relationships between people and nature.

The report proposes new metrics to better capture progress in this context and identifies actionable strategies to move beyond defensive and retreating approaches towards mobilizing peoples aspirations for a better future to ensure that people and planet thrive together.

HDROs internship programme is designed to develop emerging talent interested in the Human Development approach and global development challenges, building their analytical toolkit and ability to inform policy with evidence.

The intern will be supervised by a senior HDRO staff and work closely with the research team on the preparation of the Human Development Reports and related products and engagements. In particular, they are expected to deliver the following tasks:

• Provide assistance for quantitative and qualitative background research for the 2026 Human Development Report, including data analysis and compilations of charts and tables.
• Undertake literature reviews.
• Write short research notes.
• Review and verification of statistical materials for the report.
• Support the team in analysis and presentation of human development statistics.
• Assist in identification of data sources and preparation of datasets.
• Assist in fact checking and proofreading.
• Support the research partnership engagements, including developing concept notes and background materials as well as tracking key actions points and follow-up.
• Support the development of high-impact communications materials for the Human Development Reports and related products.
• Support and participate in other activities as requested, including providing logistical support to various events organized by HDRO such as team meetings, research seminars, consultations, workshops, and side events.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UNs values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Technical and Practical

Competencies:

• Familiarity with human development…