Partnerships Intern

Background Information – Partnerships and Liaison Group (PLG)

PLG drives the development and expansion of new and existing partnerships, in collaboration with UNOPS headquarter groups, regions and countries. PLG consists of a network of liaison offices spread globally and a cross cutting partnership development support team based in Copenhagen. 

PLG’s Liaison Offices support the management of relations and development of partnerships with UNOPS key global partners with offices in Amman, Bangkok, Brussels, Geneva, London, Tokyo, Washington DC, and Nairobi and supports partners such as the World Bank, the European Union, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the United Nations Mine Action Service, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Global Fund, USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, national governments and others. The partnership development support team based in Copenhagen provides a range of cross cutting partnership development support across the organisation. 

Under the guidance of a Partnerships Specialist, the Intern will provide a wide range of support across the Copenhagen based partnership development team. Typical areas of support will include the below. 

Please note in addition to filling the above vacancy this announcement and recruitment process will also establish a pool of endorsed candidates that will be drawn upon for 6 month placements throughout 2021 depending on availability and need. These endorsed candidates may be offered positions across PLG’s Liaison Offices in Amman, Bangkok, Brussels, Geneva, London, Tokyo, Washington DC and Nairobi.

Corporate initiatives

• Assist with the preparation, delivery and follow-up to PLG’s key corporate initiatives and areas of responsibility (e.g. UNOPS Client Board, UNOPS partner survey). 

External partner communication and outreach 

• Support the development and maintenance of a range of PLG managed partner outreach tools and resources (e.g. Partner Outreach Toolbox, resource hub) as well as prepare external partner-facing business development materials for country offices (e.g. factsheets, capacity statements, proposals, presentations, reports, newsletters, partner briefs, and COP posts).

Internal partnership development tools and resources

• Assist with the development, maintenance and dissemination of a range of internal tools and resources that address various business development needs across UNOPS (e.g. analytic dashboards, in-country positioning resources, proposal library, project funding handbook, policy guidance, intranet site).

Capacity building and knowledge management

• Support PLG capacity building, training and knowledge management initiatives (e.g. organising internal trainings & webexes on partnerships-relevant topics) and assist in packaging and disseminating PLG resources, announcements and knowledge products using UNOPS knowledge sharing tools such as Currents).

Analysis and research 

• Support with conducting analysis, summarising and presenting information on topics such as UNOPS projects, market trends, country data, partner profiles and strategies etc).

• Monitor international development trends, donor priorities and development policies and ensure key partnership resources are up-to-date (e.g. top partner one-pagers).

High level meeting preparation 

• Support the preparation of briefing materials ahead of high level meetings between UNOPS leadership and partners (e.g. talking points, background notes, bios, data sheets, etc.).

Administrative and ad-hoc tasks

• Support the PLG team with any ad-hoc requests, such as presentation preparation, logistics, meeting organisation and minute-taking.

In the performance of his/her duties, the intern will gain exposure to the full-range of UNOPS operations, clients, and donors. The intern will also gain key insight into the workings of the United Nations system as well as the interplay between donor-financing, partnership-building, field-work, and the political complexity involved in working at a United Nations organization.

The intern will also gain exposure to an international and culturally diverse environment where s/he will be in a unique position to gain an understanding of the dynamics of working in a multicultural setting and the challenges and opportunities involved therein.

To the extent possible, the intern will have full access and be able to participate in the full range of UNOPS training and educational opportunities

Education:

• The applicant must be pursuing a university degree such as Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent), or have graduated from such studies within three years prior to the application date of the internship.

• The preferred candidate would have a combination of degrees or pursuing studies in the areas of communications, business management, development studies, public policy and administration, international relations, economics, or other related areas.

Experience:

• Knowledge of, and experience with, Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office programs.

• Experience in writing partner/client facing, as well as internal  materials is desired. 

• Experience in data analysis and research is desired.

• Experience and / or knowledge of international development and the UN system is desired. 

Languages: 

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required; 

• Fluency in other UN languages, in particular French and Spanish, is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Internship

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. Further, UNOPS may provide a one time travel lump sum depending on location of travel. However, they must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and necessary visa arrangements.

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.