UNDP Data Governance Internship 2026 in Oslo, Norway

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is recruiting a Data Governance Intern for its Global Policy Centre for Governance in Oslo, Norway. This six-month internship supports research on trusted data sharing, public institutions, governance statistics and the use of citizen-generated data in policymaking.

Eligibility restriction: The internship is open only to citizens covered by the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement or applicants with legal residency in Norway. Applicants from Nigeria and other countries should confirm that they meet this condition before applying.

Organization: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Centre: Global Policy Centre for Governance
Position: Internship – Data Governance
Vacancy reference: 37400
Location: Oslo, Norway
Schedule: Full time
Duration: 6 months
Grade: IN
Practice area: Governance
Bureau: Bureau for Policy and Programme Support
Estimated start: January 4, 2027
Required language: English
Posted: October 9, 2026
Deadline: October 25, 2026; the portal displays 6:59 p.m. without a time zone label

About the internship

UNDP’s Global Policy Centre for Governance works to strengthen inclusive, transparent, accountable and effective institutions. The intern will support its data sharing and systems workstream, which examines the rules, institutional incentives and systems that enable trusted data exchange across public bodies.

The work connects data governance with domestic resource mobilization, public finance, reducing revenue leakages linked to corruption and illicit financial flows, and balancing data use with transparency, privacy and data protection.

Key responsibilities

• Research governance arrangements, institutional incentives and systems for effective data sharing across public institutions.
• Map country experiences in data sharing, including applications to domestic resource mobilization and public finance.
• Analyze legal, institutional, organizational and trust-related barriers, including privacy, transparency and data protection considerations.
• Contribute to country surveys, research, case studies, diagnostics and other knowledge products on data sharing governance.
• Support stakeholder mapping, consultations, webinars and knowledge exchanges with government institutions, national statistical offices, revenue authorities and other partners.
• Prepare briefing materials, presentations, data analysis and communications products, and support engagement in international statistical forums.
• Assist UNDP’s contribution to the Praia Group’s work on governance statistics standards, including governance household surveys.
• Support engagement with national statistical offices, UN statistical entities and partners on national data systems and evidence for policymaking.
• Research citizen data approaches and how citizen-generated data can complement official statistics and make public policy evidence more inclusive and responsive.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be citizens covered by the EEA Agreement or have legal residency in Norway. At the time of application, they must also meet at least one of these academic conditions:

• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree, preferably in Statistics, Data Science, Economics, Public Policy, Gender Studies, Psychology, Sociology or another relevant social science.
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree, preferably in Statistics, Data Science, Economics, Public Policy, Gender Studies, Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation, Sociology or another relevant social science.
• Have recently graduated with a relevant university degree and, if selected, start the internship within one year of graduation.
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of that programme.

Skills and experience

• Excellent written and spoken English. French is desirable, and working knowledge of a Scandinavian language is an asset. The job information lists French and Norwegian as desired languages.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with an interest in data, statistics, public policy, public finance or evidence-informed decision-making.
• Interest in international development, governance, rule of law, justice and gender equality, including the use of evidence in public policy.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, manage time and organize work effectively.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative, alongside good social media skills.
• Experience in a developing country or an international organization is an advantage.

Stipend and internship conditions

UNDP interns are eligible for a monthly stipend, with a rate that depends on the duty location. The vacancy does not specify an amount. If an institution, government or other party provides financial support, UNDP pays any difference between that support and the applicable stipend.

All other internship expenses are borne by the intern or their sponsoring government or institution. Interns are not UNDP staff members and cannot represent the organization officially. The placement complements academic studies and does not carry an expectation of subsequent employment.

How to apply

1. Open the official vacancy below and confirm the title Internship – Data Governance and job ID 37400.
2. Check the EEA citizenship or Norway legal residency condition and the academic requirements.
3. Prepare an updated CV, your email address and telephone number, contact details for at least three professional references, and a brief explanation of why you are suitable for the internship.
4. Combine all documents into one file. UNDP states that only one file can be uploaded.
5. Select Apply Now in the official portal, complete the application and submit before October 25, 2026. Check the time shown in your portal: the listing reviewed displays 6:59 p.m. without identifying a time zone. Apply early.

UNDP does not charge application, processing, training, interview or testing fees. Selected candidates undergo reference and background checks.