Environmental and Social Safeguards Intern

The UNOPS Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC) helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: governance, education, health, the environment, grant management and rural development.

UNOPS KEMC has over twenty years of experience working in Africa, including on large scale infrastructure projects. With a flexible and responsive presence throughout the region, UNOPS is able to scale up rapidly, through various mechanisms into high risk areas which have proven to be beneficial to partners.

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the KEMC Social Safeguards Advisor the Environmental and Social Safeguards Intern will use his or her technical expertise as required to assist in the preparation of environmental and social safeguards instruments and assist the Social Safeguards Adviser in the setting up of environmental and social management systems at project level.  

The intern will be required to deliver high quality products to tight deadlines. Additionally, the intern will also closely collaborate with other project team members.

The internship's learning opportunities are:

• Apply, expand and consolidate knowledge on project preparation, especially in regards to environmental and social safeguards, in a real working environment.

• Active participation in the preparation of environmental and social safeguards instruments, including research for the development of environmental and social baselines

• Participate in the revision of existing environmental and social instruments, as well as in the implementation of the instruments. 

• Learn from real situations how to work in a team and deliver quality products within set timeframes. 

• Learning through practical experience.

• Understanding of international organisations' project management practices.

• Knowledge of UNOPS project management systems, including online platforms and Google Suite.

• Exposure to UNOPS KEMC projects.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Specifically, the intern will be responsible for the following tasks under the close supervision and guidance of the Social Safeguards Adviser:

• Assist in preparing environmental and social instruments for projects

• Assist project teams in the implementation of the environmental and social instruments and ensure mitigation of all adverse environmental and social impacts of the project activities

Technical tasks:

• Assist in preparing/reviewing environmental and social instruments for upcoming new projects

• Assist in revising existing environmental and social instruments as needed

• Assist specifically with research to develop environmental and social baselines for project instruments

• Assist with the development of environmental and social management systems for projects 

• Assist in ensuring the documents prepared meet the quality standard requirements.

• Assist in timely delivery of the expected outputs.

• Assist in advising other project team members in environmental and social safeguards, especially engineering teams

• Assist in carrying out research and identify appropriate ways of integrating environmental and social safeguards measures into project digital information systems (MIS)

• Assist in preparing environmental and social reports for projects 

Education 

• Should be enrolled in a University programme such as a degree of master's or have graduated within the last three years from a reputable university in Development Studies, Project Management, Environmental or Social Science or related field.

Work Experience

• While no professional experience is required for an internship, experience in research and data management, environmental or social topics are added an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in English (writing, reading and speaking) is required.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.