Infrastructure and Project Management (IPM) Intern

Within UNOPS, Implementation Practices and Standards (IPS) is responsible for the UNOPS delivery practices. IPS provides thought leadership, standards and oversight as support to the successful delivery of programmes and projects within UNOPS service lines (infrastructure, procurement, project management, human resources and financial management services). IPS is comprised of the Infrastructure and Project Management Group and the Procurement Group which aims to reduce organizational risks, improve project performance, and promote excellence across UNOPS projects through the Standards Management Framework; and provides organizational oversight on the application of standards. These Groups also support the positioning of UNOPS in the UN system and development sector in Infrastructure, Project Management and Procurement. IPSO also includes the Office of IPS (IPSO), that includes work streams on organizational excellence, knowledge management and the review of bid protests. As well as the Portfolio support unit, that aims at supporting the organizational readiness of UNOPS and provides support services to the Implementation Practices and Standards function.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of IPMG Design Review Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for supporting a variety of tasks and infrastructure work packages as a part of their internship period. We are seeking qualified applicants who may have a background in infrastructure and project management; and who are extremely structured, organized and detail-oriented, as well as have the ability to communicate complex ideas well.  The main support areas will be in (but not limited to) technical knowledge, data analysis as well as communication and administration tasks.

At the end of this internship, the successful candidate will have gained in:

• Experience through exposure to UNOPS project management and infrastructure corporate standards and activities;

• Experience with the processes and methods employed to enable quality assurance and design oversight of UNOPS Infrastructure Projects;

• Experience working with international personnel and in a diverse working environment;

• Exposure to an operational arm of the United Nations; 

• An appreciation of UNOPS application of international best practices in project management across its global portfolio.  

The internship is expected to start in June 2023 and last for 6 months (extendable to 12 months upon satisfactory performance and subject to budget availability).

The successful candidate may be required to work on the following:

Infrastructure & Project Management Support:

• Support a variety of tasks, work packages and projects as outlined and assigned in the annual work plan for the Engagement Assurance (EA) team;

• Responsible for meeting goals, targets and performance standards as set out by the supervisor;

• Providing analysis and reporting as required; Conduct research and collect data/information;

• Ensure compliance with all policies, guidelines and instructions set out by the practice and organization.

Coordinate and administer the process of Design Review

• Provide guidance to or otherwise coordinate answers to submitted design-related requests.

• Track and coordinate design review related tasks among project managers, peer reviewers, and third party reviewers.

• Log and track the passage of designs through the review process and centrally store all relevant design documentation.

• Play an integral role in coordinating, organizing, operating the daily Design Review meetings and weekly Design Review risk meetings.

Assist in the review of technical infrastructure project documentation for completeness, quality and fitness for purpose against the requirements of the relevant Design Planning Manual, including the verification of low-risk reviews carried out by peer-reviewed, low-risk infrastructure works.

Ensure coordination and management of the stakeholders who are conducting the design review in the field.

Support the progressive development of UNOPS design review

• Under the close supervision of the Design Review Manager, provide support on the following:

1. recruitment processes,

2. developing the online submissions platform,

3. producing and revising design planning manuals and other guidance materials,

4. fulfilling other program needs.

Education

• Completion of secondary school or equivalent is required. 

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in, or have recently completed (within three years prior to the application date of the internship) a Bachelor/Master’s/Ph.D. A university degree in a relevant area, preferably in Engineering, Architecture, or Planning is required. A university degree in a relevant field such as International Development or International Relations in combination with some experience in the areas of engineering, architecture and planning may be accepted.

Language Skills

• Fluency in English is required;

• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be considered an asset.

Internship-related experiences

While no prior work experience is required  the following experience is highly desirable:

• Knowledge of Google suite 

• The ideal candidate would have experience in one of several of the following areas:

  • Academic research;

  • Infrastructure development and management;

  • Development activities in both Humanitarian and Development settings;

  • Data analysis;

  • Website and intranet development;

  • Database development;

Contract type: Internship
Contract level: N/A
Contract duration: 6 months


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.