Research and Analysis Internship

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organizations.

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

The Climate Action Team in the Executive Office of the Secretariat-General supports the delivery of the Secretary-General’s Climate Change Strategy and priorities.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The Project Management Intern is part of the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) under the New York Service Cluster (NYSC) SDC through its Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) is supporting project “Climate Action Team” CAT signed with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG)

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the Executive Office of the Secretary General (EOSG) of the United Nations to implement the activities of the Climate Action Team (CAT) Project.

Following COP26 in Glasgow, there is less than a decade to prevent a climate breakdown. Without deep emissions cuts, the world is heading towards 2.4-degrees Celsius of warming with catastrophic consequences. At current levels of warming the world is experiencing unprecedented climate impacts.  An increase in global average temperature above 1.5 degrees would mean extreme weather and climate disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, putting billions of people at immediate risk with significant parts of Africa becoming unlivable and whole countries ceasing to exist. The Secretary-General’s call to all countries, cities, companies and institutions to go into emergency mode on climate is needed more than ever.

While climate change risks undermine the 2030 Agenda, as well as the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable development, climate action also presents an opportunity. Green investments boost growth and jobs; transitions are inclusive and help to eradicate poverty; and enhancing carbon sinks strengthens biodiversity and resilience. It will be essential to ensure that the transformation of economies and societies takes place to enable accelerated climate action in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during this decade of action.

The objective of the Secretary-General’s climate action strategy throughout his second term will be to accelerate the pathway towards a resilient, low carbon world, that keeps the 1.5 degrees goal alive, and to secure the alignment of public and private finance to enable the necessary transitions to take place while leaving no one behind. COP26 made progress on mitigation, adaptation and finance.

It will be critical to build on progress made at COP26. The two-year period from Glasgow in November 2021 to the Global Stocktake in November 2023 will be essential to meeting this goal and is aligned with the complementary push for accelerated efforts during the Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs by 2030.  This will require enhanced coordination and collaboration across the UN System especially at the country level.

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Team Lead Climate Action, the incumbent(s) will provide substantive support to ensure results on climate, energy, and environment-related partnerships and commitments across the Climate Team and throughout EOSG Units.

The intern is responsibilities for the following duties, but not limited to:

A. Coordination and Executive Support

• Support the preparation of senior-level management meetings, conferences, and retreats
• Support the preparation of background and option papers
• Support the tracking and analysis of decisions and their implementation
• Assist in the preparation of speeches and talking points

• Help monitor, identify and analyze geographic, political, and thematic global trends
•  Support the preparation of analytical reports, papers, talking points, and correspondences
• Assist in coordinating the formulation of strategies, programmes, and policies
• Maintaining key data sets and reports
• Develop dashboards and visualizations for senior managers and provide user support

• Completion of secondary school or equivalent is required.
• All applicants must be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters or PhD. (or the equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship. Studies or degree preferably in International Relations or Diplomacy, International Environment, Climate or related areas.

• While no professional experience is required for an internship, experience in research and analysis of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies, and/or climate finance are added an advantage.

• Fluently in English (read, write, speak) is required
• Knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.

Contract type: Internship
Contract level: Intern 
Internship duration: 4 months - subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance


This internship is not designed to lead to a staff position with UNOPS. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of the internship.

Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend  from UNOPS provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions. 

For more details about UNOPS internships please follow this link: 
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Internships-and-volunteering.aspx

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.