Apply for the UNDP Blue Resilience Internship 2026, supporting ocean governance, fisheries crime prevention, and international collaboration. Gain hands-on experience in organizing global events, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Deadline: 8 March 2026.
Launch Your Career with UNDP’s Blue Resilience Internship
For recent graduates or postgraduate students passionate about sustainable ocean governance and climate action, the UNDP Blue Resilience Internship 2026 presents a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an international, multidisciplinary environment. Hosted by the Nature Hub within the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), this full-time, five-month internship is designed to provide practical exposure to nature-positive development, maritime crime prevention, and policy implementation. The position is home-based but includes travel for key project activities, offering interns an unparalleled global experience.
The internship places special emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging candidates from historically underserved or marginalized populations to apply. It represents an ideal gateway for individuals looking to contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while developing professional skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, and event coordination.
About UNDP and the Nature Hub
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN system’s knowledge leader for sustainable development. UNDP works across countries to deliver impactful policies, advocacy, and operational solutions to achieve the SDGs. Within UNDP, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) guides strategic initiatives and provides technical advice to country offices, advocating corporate priorities and facilitating international coordination.
The Nature Hub promotes integrated, nature-positive approaches to development. It supports governments, civil society, and private sector partners in embedding environmental and climate considerations into national planning, policies, and development strategies. With a focus on oceans and fisheries, the Nature Hub implements the Blue Resilience initiative, which addresses fisheries-related organized crime while promoting sustainable and equitable blue economies.
Internship Context: Blue Resilience and the Blue Justice Initiative
The Blue Resilience project is supported by the Norwegian government through the Blue Justice Initiative (BJI). The initiative strengthens national and regional capacity to combat transnational organized crime in the fishing sector, operationalizing commitments under the Copenhagen Declaration on Transnational Organized Crime in the Global Fishing Industry.
The project includes the Blue Justice Community User Gathering, an annual event bringing together global operational experts to exchange knowledge, receive hands-on training, and strengthen inter-agency collaboration in addressing fisheries crime. The 2026 User Gathering will be hosted at UN City, Copenhagen, and interns will play a key role in supporting planning, coordination, logistics, and post-event reporting.
Key Responsibilities
Interns will support the Blue Resilience project across multiple areas, gaining experience in international project coordination, event management, and stakeholder engagement. Responsibilities include:
Organizing the User Gathering (50%)
- Participate in planning meetings and draft/distribute minutes.
- Schedule and coordinate donor planning meetings.
- Assist in drafting invitations, concept notes, funding letters, and logistics notes.
- Support the development of the event programme and agenda.
- Manage participant registrations and disseminate materials.
- Liaise with local UN City stakeholders for venue and technical support.
- Support travel arrangements and logistical coordination for participants.
Event Logistics and Administration (10%)
- Provide on-site support during the User Gathering, including participant registration and guidance.
- Assist with communications, including social media coordination in partnership with the Nature Hub Communications lead.
- Take notes and support daily operations during the event.
Post-Event Support (20%)
- Assist in drafting the User Gathering report and thank-you communications.
- Support documentation and knowledge management related to the event.
General Project Support (20%)
- Maintain project activity trackers and update progress weekly.
- Support communications for the Blue Justice Community.
- Perform ad-hoc project tasks as assigned by the Project Manager.
Competencies
Successful interns will demonstrate:
- Results Orientation: Plans, monitors, and delivers work on time with attention to detail.
- Innovative Thinking: Applies creativity to problem-solving and process improvement.
- Continuous Learning: Open to new ideas, feedback, and knowledge-sharing.
- Adaptability: Handles ambiguity and changing priorities constructively.
- Determination: Motivated, confident, and resilient under pressure.
- Engagement and Partnership: Builds positive relationships and collaborates effectively.
- Diversity and Inclusion Awareness: Appreciates differences, challenges bias, and promotes equity.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Current enrollment in a postgraduate degree (master’s or higher) or final year of a bachelor’s degree in environmental management, sustainability, international relations, communications, or related fields.
- Graduation within the past year if applying as a recent graduate.
Experience:
- Strong organizational and analytical skills with report writing experience.
- Interest in maritime issues, ocean governance, and international development.
- Experience in programme management support, webinar facilitation, and multi-stakeholder coordination is advantageous.
- Familiarity with Zoom, MS Teams, and digital collaboration tools.
- Social media experience and communications content development is a plus.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required.
Internship Conditions
- This is a gratis internship, meaning interns are not UNDP staff but may receive a monthly stipend according to UNDP policy.
- Interns are responsible for medical insurance and any costs arising from accidents or illness.
- Interns are provided with the necessary workspace and equipment when on-site; remote interns must supply their own resources.
- There is no expectation of subsequent employment with UNDP.
Learning Opportunities
Interns gain valuable experience in:
- International project coordination and stakeholder engagement.
- Event planning and logistical management in a global context.
- Knowledge exchange on sustainable fisheries governance and blue economy initiatives.
- Reporting and communications in a high-profile UNDP project.
- Professional networking across governments, NGOs, and the private sector.
Why Apply?
The UNDP Blue Resilience Internship offers an extraordinary opportunity for early-career professionals to develop a global perspective on environmental governance, strengthen technical and project management skills, and contribute to real-world solutions addressing fisheries crime and ocean sustainability.
Graduates and postgraduates who take part in this internship gain not only technical expertise but also the professional maturity, networks, and understanding required to pursue impactful careers in international development, environmental policy, or maritime governance.
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