Intern - Project Management Support (Knowledgement Management and Communication)

*** THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION FOR WHICH ONLY APPLICANTS WHO POSSESS THE NATIONALITY OR WORK PERMISSION IN SENEGAL 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 China in 2009, the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by UNDP, has assisted more than 180 projects. 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 China intern is required to work with the SGP team in the effective implementation of the programme work plan with specific responsibilities.  The SGP China team includes the National Coordinator (NC) and Programme Assistant (PA) and oversees the facilitation of at least 30 active projects.

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

Under the overall guidance and the direct supervision of the SGP Regional Focal Point for Africa, and the secondary supervision of the Knowledge Management and Communications Specialist, the intern is expected to liaise with the SGP Africa Regional Focal Point, as well as other members of the UNDP Nature Hub, including Biodiversity and Ecosystems Pillar, SGP CPMT staff, to review SGP overall as well as SGP Francophone Africa portfolio. In doing so, the desk review may contribute to developing an overview and a brief analysis of the portfolio. Data collection will help develop case studies in SGP different strategic initiatives. 

Therefore, the intern will help the team to: 

• Assist in the conduction of internal surveys to collect information, data and support the analysis of the portfolio data 

• Assist in the compile of case studies to highlight community led approaches and best practices to address environmental issues across the Francophone Africa

• Research, draft and design compelling knowledge products such as brochures, issue briefs, newsletters, infographics, talking points, social media assets and PowerPoint presentations; 

• Support the development of demand-driven knowledge products on the latest approaches, strategies, and best practices in relation to various environmental issues;

• Support knowledge dissemination and exchange through different engagements (e.g., webinar series, expert consultations);

• Support the development and the produce of knowledge products with SGP Senegal country programme.

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. 
    

The intern will support the development and implementation of awareness-raising activities, the production of communications materials, including Case Studies, newsletters, website content, videos and knowledge products.

Key deliverables: 

1. Complete a desk review of SGP Africa portfolio distribution for the 2017 – 2022 period

2. Collect and review data from the selected SGP country programmes.

3. Compile 10-12 case studies from the selected SGP country programmes in consultation with CPMT, National Coordinators as relevant

4. Prepare 2 articles on key findings and best practices articles to be posted to the SGP website.

• The intern will report to, and be directly supervised by the SGP Regional Focal Point for Africa and the SGP KM and Communications Specialist.

* Qualified women are encouraged to apply. *


Education

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

• Fluency in French (read, write and speak) and intermediate in English (read, write and speak) is required.

• 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.

• Design and video production skills are desirable (e.g. using Canva, Adobe, Lumen5);

• Social media management skills are desirable (e.g. Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Hootsuite)

• Conducting data review and analysis (quantitative and/or qualitative);

• Working on environment advocacy issues;

• Producing communications and knowledge products;

• Developing and maintaining websites;

• Creating visual assets such as videos or graphics.  

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.

• 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.

Small Grants Cluster

UNOPS executes the UNDP-implemented Small Grants Programme though the Small Grants Cluster. Funded by the Global Environment Facility, the Small Grants Programme efficiently channels direct grants to non-governmental and community-based organizations to help them cope with climate change; conserve biodiversity; protect international waters; reduce the impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants; and prevent land degradation. Helping communities with their initiatives for sustainable livelihoods while generating global environmental benefits is the core inspiration of the Small Grants Programme.