Vacancies and How to Get a Job at UNDP Sierra Leone (Salary, Roles & Application Guide)
If you are a university student looking for a valuable internship in Freetown, UNDP has opened several opportunities that could help you build practical experience in communications, digital media and creative work.
UNDP is currently advertising three six-month internship opportunities in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with applications closing on 19 August 2026. The roles are full-time internships within the UNDP Sierra Leone Country Office.
For students searching for UNDP jobs in Sierra Leone 2026, these vacancies are worth considering because they offer exposure to an international development organisation while allowing successful applicants to develop practical workplace skills.
About UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works on development issues around the world, supporting countries with areas such as sustainable development, governance, resilience and inclusive economic and social progress.
In Sierra Leone, the organisation's Communications Unit works to increase awareness of UNDP programmes, communicate development results and support the organisation's engagement with different audiences.
The current internships sit within this communications environment. That means the successful candidates are likely to gain experience that goes beyond basic administrative work, particularly in writing, digital communication, campaigns, events, presentations and content development.
For students hoping to build careers in communications, media, marketing, graphic design or related areas, this type of experience can be valuable on a CV.
Available UNDP Positions in Sierra Leone
The current vacancies are:
- Graphic Designer – Internship
- Communication – Internship
- Digital Media – Internship
All three positions are based in Freetown and have a six-month contract duration. The postings require English, while Krio is listed as a desired language for the Graphic Designer and Digital Media positions.
1. Graphic Designer
What You’ll Do (Simplified)
The Graphic Designer internship is connected to the UNDP Sierra Leone Communications Unit.
The role involves supporting the team with communication and promotional materials used for campaigns, events and other activities.
The successful intern may also contribute to:
- Creating communication materials for events and campaigns
- Supporting digital and social media content
- Helping turn information from programme teams into useful communication materials
- Preparing presentations, decks and other visual documents
- Supporting communication campaigns and workshops
- Helping improve awareness of UNDP activities
The position also calls for skills in writing and editing, data and report analysis, Excel spreadsheets and dashboards, website management, social media, branding and content creation.
Who This Role Is Best For
This opportunity is best suited to a current undergraduate student studying Graphic Design, Visual Arts or a related discipline.
The applicant should also be comfortable working with digital communication tools and Microsoft Office.
One important point is that UNDP's internship requirements allow applicants who are in the final year of a first university degree, enrolled in a graduate programme, or who graduated within the previous year and can begin the internship within one year of graduation.
Estimated Salary Range
Negotiable based on experience.
The source vacancy does not provide a salary or stipend figure, so applicants should not assume a specific amount.
How to Apply
Apply through the official UNDP recruitment system using the Graphic Designer vacancy.
The job identification number is 36028, and the application deadline is 19 August 2026 at 16:59.
How to Increase Your Chances
Do not rely only on your academic qualification.
Include a portfolio showing actual examples of your work. This could include:
- Social media designs
- Posters
- Campaign materials
- Infographics
- Presentations
- Branding projects
- University design projects
A small but well-presented portfolio can make it much easier for recruiters to understand what you can actually do.
2. Communication
What You’ll Do (Simplified)
The Communication internship supports the UNDP Sierra Leone Communications Unit.
The intern will help develop content and support communication activities, including:
- Writing and editing stories and other communication materials
- Supporting social media content
- Helping prepare presentations and communication toolkits
- Summarising information from UNDP programme teams
- Supporting dashboards and communication planning
- Helping organise campaigns, events and workshops
- Preparing materials that promote UNDP activities
The role requires strong communication, writing and editing abilities, research skills and confidence using PowerPoint, Word and Excel.
Who This Role Is Best For
This position is suitable for university students interested in:
- Communications
- Journalism
- Public relations
- Marketing
- Media
- Development communication
- Related disciplines
The position particularly suits someone who enjoys writing, researching information and turning complex ideas into clear content.
Estimated Salary Range
Negotiable based on experience.
No salary figure is provided in the vacancy information.
How to Apply
Search for the Communication internship on the UNDP recruitment platform and apply before the deadline.
The vacancy has Job Identification 36027, is based in Freetown and runs for six months. The deadline is 19 August 2026 at 16:59.
How to Increase Your Chances
Your application should demonstrate that you can actually communicate.
Instead of simply writing that you have "excellent communication skills", provide evidence.
For example, mention articles you have written, university publications, social media campaigns, newsletters, presentations, research projects or communications work you have completed.
Also demonstrate that you can work with information from different teams and turn it into clear, audience-friendly content.
3. Digital Media
What You’ll Do (Simplified)
The Digital Media Intern will support UNDP's digital communication activities and help increase its online visibility and engagement in Sierra Leone.
The work includes:
- Supporting digital content development
- Contributing to social media posts and stories
- Helping prepare presentations and communication materials
- Supporting campaigns, workshops and events
- Helping maintain communication dashboards
- Researching information and identifying new communication approaches
- Supporting the wider Communications Unit
The vacancy specifically highlights writing and editing, social media, website management, branding, digital communication, campaign planning and content creation.
Who This Role Is Best For
This role is particularly suitable for a student studying Communications, Multimedia Arts, Marketing or a related subject.
It could also suit someone who has built practical digital media skills through university projects, freelance work, social media management or personal content creation.
The vacancy requires strong English communication skills, familiarity with social media and digital communication tools, creativity and basic knowledge of public and media relations.
Estimated Salary Range
Negotiable based on experience.
No salary or internship stipend is stated in the provided vacancy.
How to Apply
Look for the Digital Media internship in the UNDP recruitment system and submit your application before the closing date.
The job identification number is 36030. It is a full-time, six-month internship in Freetown, with applications closing on 19 August 2026 at 16:59.
How to Increase Your Chances
Show evidence of digital skills.
If you have managed a social media page, produced videos, created graphics, written online content, helped with a campaign or used digital analytics tools, include it.
Even university or personal projects can help if they demonstrate creativity and measurable results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When applying for these UNDP internships, avoid these common mistakes:
- Submitting a generic CV: Tailor your CV to the specific internship instead of sending the same document everywhere.
- Ignoring the academic requirement: These are internship positions, so check that your current or recent education meets the UNDP requirements.
- Making unsupported claims: Do not simply say you are creative or a good communicator. Show examples.
- Ignoring practical skills: PowerPoint, Word, Excel, social media and digital communication skills are specifically mentioned in the vacancies.
- Applying at the last minute: The closing date is 19 August 2026. Give yourself enough time to complete and review the application.
- Failing to research UNDP: Understanding UNDP's development work can help you write a more relevant application.
Final Advice for Applicants
These are not conventional entry-level permanent jobs in Sierra Leone 2026. They are six-month internships designed for students and recent graduates who meet the programme's education requirements.
That distinction matters.
If you are applying, focus less on having years of professional experience and more on demonstrating potential, relevant academic training, practical projects, creativity, communication ability and willingness to learn.
For UNDP recruitment, a strong application should make it easy for the recruiter to see how your current skills connect with the work of the Communications Unit.
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