Intern - Project Management Support

*** THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION FOR WHICH ONLY APPLICANTS WHO POSSESS THE NATIONALITY OR WORK PERMISSION IN FIJI ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION *** 


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 Portfolios Office (NYPO) 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.

The 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.

Since rolling out its operations in Fiji in 2003, the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by UNDP, has assisted more than 150 projects, with a total grant amount of more than US$5 million. Projects range from national level policy contributions, institutional strengthening and community-led initiatives on environment conservation, adaptation and mitigation work, capacity development as well as livelihoods and resilience building efforts.  The GEF SGP operates its strategic term under the guidance of the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) four-year cycle and is currently under the Operational Phase 7 (OP7).. 

Under the supervision of the National Coordinator (NC), the SGP Fiji intern is required to work with the SGP team in the effective implementation of the programme work plan with specific responsibilities.  The SGP Fiji team includes the National Coordinator (NC) and Programme Associate (PA) and oversees the facilitation of at least 30 active projects.

While much of the work required of the intern is to provide support to the SGP staff, specific duties surrounding the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL)of projects will be prioritized for this placement. 

The incumbent of this position will be personnels of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

The SGP Fiji Intern is expected to support the team in the following duties.

Main Responsibilities

M&E Development Support

• Participate in the implementation of the SGP Fiji OP7 Country Programme Strategy M&E Plan.
• Assist the National Coordiantor (NC) and Programme Assistant (PA) in designing data collection tools, templates, and assist in regular data collection or generation process from projects.
• Participate in data analysis to determine projects’ progress achieved.

Project Information Management

• Update and maintain the project database. 
• Work with NC and PA to ensure all projects’ reports are submitted on time.

Reporting and Documentation 

• Review and compile monitoring reports, project progress reports, evaluation reports, photographs, case studies video documentaries, PowerPoint presentations, etc.
• Support NC and PA to ensure that lessons learned from the projects monitored, and evaluations are documented properly in the databases.

General Responsibility

• Work with the NC and PA to collect case studies, best practice documentation, lesson learn; and update and manage that information in project's reports and other knowledge products.
• Contribute to developing and managing knowledge products (knowledge management) of the project.
• Support the SGP Fiji’s Social Media updates. 
• Assist with all field reports. 
• Carry out other tasks assigned by the NC.  

Training components and learning elements

The selected candidate will be exposed towards diverse elements involved in the GEF Small Grant Programme where s/he will have an opportunity to learn on project identification, development, and management, grant making, project financing, administration and logistics and event management.    

Participation in missions or training courses

Willingness to travel to and stay some or more days at project sites mostly in the interior and/or outer islands.

Additional comments

Key Deliverables

1. Monitoring and evaluation analysis and reporting to NC.  
2. Projects filing, and profiles updated on database.
3. SGP social media updates and visibility.
4. Internship end of placement report.

• Currently enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters, or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.

Language

• Excellent command of written and spoken English required.

Computer Literacy

• Knowledge on basic computer skills including Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is required.
• Knowledge on handling virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams is required.

Experience

• Demonstrated interest in environmental issues and demonstrated academic ability in at least one of the GEF focal areas.
• Demonstrated interest in community-oriented environment and development programmes, and in project design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail
• Ability to write clearly and concisely
• Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds. 

Contract type: Internship
Contract level: N/A
Contract duration: Six (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

Training components and learning elements

Selected candidate will be exposed towards diverse elements involved in the GEF/ Small Grant Programme where s/he will have an opportunity to learn on project identification, development, and management, grant making, project financing, administration and logistics and event management.