UNDP PAID Legal Internship 2026 in Administrative Law - New York | Apply by 15 January 2026

UNDP PAID Legal Internship 2026 in Administrative Law - New York | Apply by 15 January 2026

Organization	UNDP - Administrative Law Team
Office	Bureau for Management Services
Post Name	Legal Intern
Category & Level	Internship
Duty Station	New York, USA
Work Location	Full-time
Contract Duration	3 months
Salary/Stipend	Paid (Monthly Stipend provided)
Last Date to Apply	15 January 2026

The Office of Legal Services (OLS) serves as in-house counsel to UNDP. The Administrative Law Team (AL) is responsible for advising senior management on legal issues related to the administration of staff members and UN volunteers. This includes reviewing investigation reports, recommending actions in misconduct cases, handling appeals against administrative decisions, and managing litigation within the internal UN court system.

Under the supervision of the Senior Legal Advisor, the Legal Intern will gain practical experience in international administrative law. The intern will support lawyers by researching legal topics, analyzing cases, and contributing to the review of policies and procedures within the UN development system.

• Legal Research & Analysis:
  • Provide in-depth research on legal topics based on Staff Regulations, Rules, and UN Administrative Tribunal jurisprudence.
  • Analyze investigation reports, identifying factual or legal issues in disciplinary processes.
  • Provide legal analysis concerning cases, disputes, and inquiries.
• Drafting & Documentation:
  • Draft formal correspondence, administrative decisions, and tribunal submissions.
  • Assist with the analysis of privileges and immunities.
• Policy & Support:
  • Contribute to the review of legal issues arising in policies and procedures.
  • Provide other support to the office as required.

• Education Status: Applicants must meet one of the following:
  • Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (Master's or higher) in Law.
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (Bachelor's or equivalent) in Law.
  • Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program in Law.
  • Have recently graduated with a university degree (Master's or Bachelor's) and, if selected, start within one year of graduation.
• Field of Study: Law or a related subject.
• Experience: Previous experience in a legal context and carrying out legal research is an asset.

No specific age limit is mentioned; eligibility is based on academic enrollment or recent graduation status.

Candidates must be pursuing or have recently completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree (or equivalent) in Law. Understanding of the UN legal framework and international treaties is expected.

• Legal Skills: Ability to analyze fact patterns, present argumentation, and draft legal briefs. Strong legal research skills to support corporate decision-making.
• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise manner; ability to tailor messages to the audience.
• Knowledge: Understanding of the UN Charter, General Assembly resolutions, and UNDP financial regulations/rules.
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of French or Spanish is an advantage.

Post	Duty Station	Duration	Work Type
Legal Intern	New York, USA	3 Months	Full-time

No category-wise breakdown is provided. UNDP encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

No Fee. UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

• Date Posted: 04 December 2025
• Application Deadline: 15 January 2026 (03:56 AM)
• Vacancy Timeline: 6 Weeks

• Stipend: UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend. The rate varies depending on the duty location.
• Insurance: Interns must provide proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of the internship.
• Expenses: Except for the stipend, all other expenses (travel, visas, accommodation) are borne by the intern.
• Status: Interns are not staff members and are not covered by UN Staff Regulations and Rules.

• Evaluation of applications based on merit and suitability for the role.
• Selected candidates must submit a medical certificate, proof of insurance, and official university enrollment letters.

• Visit the official job page at UNDP Careers.
• Documents to Submit:
  • Cover Letter: Describing motivation for applying.
  • CV/Resume: Detailed curriculum vitae.
• Important: Group all documents into ONE (1) single PDF file as the system only allows one upload.
• Submit before 15 January 2026.

• Apply Online: Click Here to Apply
• UNDP Main Site: www.undp.org

• Is this internship paid? Yes, UNDP provides a monthly stipend.
• Where is the duty station? New York, United States.
• Can recent graduates apply? Yes, if you start the internship within one year of graduation.
• What is the primary language required? Fluency in English is required.
• Do I need to combine my documents? Yes, the Cover Letter and CV must be merged into a single PDF file for upload.
• Is there an application fee? No, UNDP never charges a fee.