Procurement Intern (Sustainable Supply Chains)

Background Information - PG 

The Procurement Group (PG) is based at UNOPS HQ in Copenhagen. It leads the organization’s procurement practice and is responsible for: articulating strategy, policy positions and innovative solutions for procurement at UNOPS; enabling the operationalization and managerial oversight of UNOPS procurement activities through appropriate systems and reports; strengthening the knowledge, skills and career development of procurement practitioners; and leading the implementation of Sustainable Procurement across the organization.

As a central procurement resource for the United Nations system and its partners, UNOPS emphasizes efficient, transparent, cost-effective and sustainable delivery of goods, services and works; in line with public procurement best practices. Every year, UNOPS procures over USD 1 Bn worth of goods, services and works on behalf of our partners. These include a broad base of categories, including life-saving pharmaceuticals, mine action equipment, vehicles or road construction services. 

Sustainable Supply Chains go beyond simple sustainable procurement, they require strategic thinking to ensure that all activities linked to procurement integrate requirements, specifications and criteria that are compatible and in favour of the protection of the environment, social progress and in support of economic development, namely by seeking resource efficiency, improving the quality of products and services and ultimately optimizing costs.

Building on over a decade of effort and investment UNOPS has established itself as a a leader in sustainable procurement within the UN environment. Achieving this by ensuring that sustainability underpins the core principles of UNOPS Procurement. To operationalise its commitment UNOPS relies on its Sustainable Procurement Framework which among other things focuses on:: 

• Guidance and mandatory requirements - Since 1st January 2020, UNOPS has mandatory requirements for our procurement processes.

• Supplier sustainability - Through its DRiVE programme (Delivering Responsibility in Vendor Engagement programme) UNOPS strives to ensure its suppliers operate responsibly and in accordance with high standards of integrity.

• Market development and supplier improvement - Possibilities Programme, which is UNOPS supplier diversity and inclusion programme aimed at building the capacity of suppliers and increasing the diversity of the UNOPS supplier base, targeting Women-owned businesses, youth-owned businesses and encouraging disability-inclusive procurement.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Sustainable Procurement Senior Analyst, the Sustainable Supply Chains Intern will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the UNOPS Sustainable Procurement Framework as well as other team tasks and work packages working towards the expansion and improvements of sustainable supply chain efforts, . 

We are seeking a motivated and passionate individual preferably with a background in sustainability or a related area of expertise, and may have working knowledge of procurement or supply chain as well as an understanding and appreciation of the role that data plays. However, as internships are designed to be valuable learning experiences, previous work experience is not a requirement.

Some of the specific tasks may include, but are not limited to:

• Coordination support: Support the Sustainable Supply Chains team with the implementation of the Sustainable Procurement Framework. This includes the support of Policy Oversight, Supplier Diversity & Inclusion, Supplier Sustainability and other key Sustainable Procurement Initiatives. This will include the day-to-day support of the operationalisation of the Sustainable Procurement Framework. 

• Communication & Advocacy: Support internal communications efforts through webinars, workshops, case studies, and intranet,  as well as the monitoring of different team email inboxes. Support the development of new guidance materials, tools and templates on sustainable procurement.

• Research and analysis: Support in data collection and market research on existing, new and innovative sustainability trends and relevant industries for the development of guidelines and publications. 

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

• Exposure to and experience with sustainability at the corporate level, in a core function within UNOPS and the UN

• Exposure to sustainable procurement and supply chains in a global context, with a variety of suppliers

• Exposure to an international multicultural work environment and team;

Required Qualifications

Education

Completion of secondary school or equivalent is required.

To be eligible for this particular internship with UNOPS, the candidate must be studying towards a university degree or have graduated in the past three years.

Experience

• While no prior work experience is required, some previous experience in sustainability and corporate social responsibility (through work, education or other) is an asset.

• Knowledge of supplier/vendor management, circular economy principles, and/or diversity and inclusion in procurement is an asset.

• Knowledge of business operations, procurement, supply chain, and logistics is desirable.

Computer Literacy

• Strong computer literacy is required: Good knowledge of Google Workspace or Microsoft Office suite, profound knowledge of Google Sheets/Excel and developing presentations in Google Slides/PowerPoint/Canva

• Experience in developing communication materials (including posters, videos, and publications) is an asset

• Experience in using and creating dashboards in visualization tools such as Google Sheets / Google Data Studio, PowerBI, and Tableau is an asset.

Language Skills

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language such as French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese or Arabic will be considered an asset.

• IMPORTANT: All applicants must submit a Cover Letter with their CV that outlines their motivation for participating in this internship. Applications submitted without a Cover Letter will not be reviewed.

• 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 

• 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.