Organization Mission

UNDP works across Asia and the Pacific to advance people-centred governance, strengthen civic space, and promote inclusive participation in public decision-making. As part of its Youth Empowerment Programme and in alignment with the Open and Inclusive Public Sphere (OIPS) agenda, UNDP supports research, data, and knowledge products that foster trust, accountability, and inclusive governance. Advancing an open and inclusive public sphere is core to UNDP’s Governance for People and Planet approach and is essential to building resilience and achieving sustainable development across the region. Accurate mapping initiatives and thematic research is a foundational step in supporting regional learning and evidence-based programming.

Context

Asia and the Pacific is a diverse and rapidly changing region where economic transformation, climate vulnerability, demographic shifts, and digitalization are reshaping the relationship between citizens and institutions. Many countries are simultaneously facing governance challenges such as declining public trust, shrinking civic space, information integrity risks, persistent corruption, and uneven institutional capacity. These dynamics highlight the growing need for governance systems that are more open, inclusive, accountable, and capable of responding to complex and overlapping crises.

An open and inclusive public sphere is a critical foundation for people-centred governance and for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It refers to the spaces—both online and offline—where people can access information, express views, engage in public dialogue, and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes. When these spaces are inclusive, safe, and trusted, they strengthen social cohesion, improve policy effectiveness, and ensure that the voices of women, young people, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and other marginalized groups are reflected in public decisions.

Key Responsibilities

The Online Volunteer will support UNDP’s Open and Inclusive Public Sphere (OIPS) agenda in Asia and the Pacific through targeted mapping and research.

Under the supervision of the Programme Specialist, Civil Society and Youth, the volunteer will map and research initiatives related to governance, civic engagement, and youth participation across the region. Specific tasks include:
– Conduct desk-based mapping of UNDP country office and regional initiatives in Asia and the Pacific that are relevant to the OIPS agenda.
– Collect, clean, and organize data using the provided guidance and Excel template, including interpreting, contextualizing, categorizing, and tagging information.
– Support the analysis of mapped data to identify trends, thematic overlaps, geographic gaps, key actors, and potential entry points for UNDP engagement.
– Prepare a concise 2–3-page summary report, including relevant visualizations, highlighting key findings.

Required Skills and Experience

Required skills and experience:
– Background or demonstrated interest in governance, civic engagement, youth participation, international development, or a related field.
– Familiarity with the Asia-Pacific region context.
– Strong desk research skills and attention to detail.
– Ability to identify relevant sources and synthesize information into clear, concise summaries.
– Proficiency in organizing and managing data using Excel, Google Sheets, or similar tools.
– Strong written communication skills in English.
– Strong organizational and time-management skills.
– Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and incorporate feedback.