Project Management Intern (Behavioural Science), Multiple positions

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.

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 their 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 that are headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the project activities for Global Pulse.

UN Global Pulse is the UN Secretary-General’s innovation lab. Originally established in 2009 to harness the power of big data and artificial intelligence to protect the vulnerable during crises, UN Global Pulse operates as a globally distributed network advancing innovation in the UN’s work for people and planet.

UN Global Pulse (UNGP) works with digital innovation, real-time data and artificial intelligence to further sustainable development, humanitarian and peace outcomes. UNGP’s vision is ‘A world in which responsible and inclusive digital innovation serves people, advances their sustainable development, and protects the planet’. Our mission is to work at the intersection of digital innovation and the human sciences to inform, inspire, and strengthen the ability of the United Nations family and those it serves to anticipate, respond and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Behavioural Science (BeSci) is increasingly being used in governments and multilateral organisations around the world to improve policy and programme formulation, implementation, and evaluation.

Supported by the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General, the UN Behavioural Science Group of the UN Innovation Network, a collaborative interagency community of colleagues interested in behavioural science, promotes awareness and supports behavioural science work at the UN. To date, the group comprises of more than 800 UN members from across 80+ UN Entities in 110 countries (as well as over 1,000 observers from outside the UN).

In 2021, the UN Behavioural Science Group supported the development and publication of a UN-wide Guidance Note and the UN Behavioural Science Report that outlines existing BeSci projects in the UN System as well as steps to further the application of BeSci in the work of the UN. One of these steps is the establishment of a UN Behavioural Science Programme.

The UN BeSci Programme has the following objectives of:

●      Increasing BeSci expertise across the UN system by providing knowledge and technical understanding to BeSci projects;

●      Strengthening capacity across the UN through training;

●      Demonstrating the impact of BeSci for sustainable development both internally within the UN and externally within the broader international community; and

●      Enhancing UN external partnerships in BeSci with academia, non-profits, and governments.

The Programme will host internships as a joint offering between the UN Behavioural Science Group of the UN Innovation Network, the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General and UN Global Pulse.

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility. They will work in support of the UN Behavioural Science Group whose members cooperate remotely and from locations in over 100 countries.

• Contribute to and make suggestions on the application of behavioural science to projects,
• Support the conceptualization and running of laboratory and/or field experiments,
• Support designing and delivering introductory trainings for UN Entities,
• Contribute to the design, implementation and analysis of research,
• Assist in the development of project briefs, outlining approaches used, impact and lessons learnt, and support knowledge management more broadly,
• Contribute to the development of thought pieces and briefs,
• Liaise with the central BeSci team to ensure knowledge transfer.

Internship related experience: (The following skills and experiences are desirable but not required) 

• Technical behavioural science expertise is highly desired;
• Experience in experimental research, including designing and conducting experiments is highly desired;
• Experience in drafting policy documents and external communication is an asset;
• Demonstrated interest in sustainable development and a background in issue areas relevant to the UN (e.g. health, gender, climate change) are highly desirable;
• Experience in quantitative or qualitative research are desirable;
• Previous experience with an international organization is an asset;
• Excellent and effective writing skills are an asset;

Language

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

• 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.

Background Information - Sustainable Development Cluster 

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of 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.