Project Management Intern (Data Responsibility Intern)

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. The 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 the UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The Sustainable Development Cluster supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services, UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), and the Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio.  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.  SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement defined activities in support of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The Centre for Humanitarian Data is focused on increasing the use and impact of data in humanitarian response. It is managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and is based in The Hague, the Netherlands. The Centre’s vision is to create a future where everyone involved in a humanitarian emergency has access to the data they need, when and how they need it, to make responsible and informed decisions. Our support is provided to OCHA staff and partners, with a priority focus on locations with humanitarian operations. 

The Centre has four workstreams: data services, data science, data responsibility, and learning and practice. Data responsibility in humanitarian action is the safe, ethical and effective management of personal and non-personal data for operational response. The Centre’s data responsibility work focuses on supporting the adoption of responsible practices in OCHA and the wider humanitarian sector. It also aims to help humanitarians navigate the technical and ethical issues involved when working with data in complex environments. 

Over the past several years, the Centre has led the development of a number of guidance documents, most notably the OCHA Data Responsibility Guidelines (agreed in October 2021 and currently being revised) and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Operational Guidance on Data Responsibility in Humanitarian Action (first endorsed in February 2021 and revised in April 2023). We have also worked with partners to publish a series of guidance notes and tip sheets on topics related to data responsibility such as statistical disclosure control and data ethics. 

The Centre offers a range of support services to increase the adoption of data responsibility including training, missions and adaptation of tools and templates to different settings and languages. We also work closely with teams across OCHA to integrate data responsibility approaches into cross-cutting issues such as access, accountability to affected people and cash assistance.

The intern will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

1. Preparing meeting agendas, drafting minutes and summarising meeting outcomes

2. Supporting awareness raising and engagement on data responsibility with OCHA’s country offices 

3. Supporting internal and external communications to raise awareness and share outcomes on data responsibility

4. Assisting trainings and workshops on data responsibility, including through the preparation of training materials and capturing learnings and feedback

5. Translating documents and communications from English to Arabic

Training components and learning elements

The selected candidate will be exposed to a very dynamic area in the humanitarian space, where she/he will have an opportunity to learn about coordination, stakeholder management, reporting, administration and logistics. Data Responsibility is at the forefront of safe, ethical and effective management of personal and non-personal data for operational respons, which is particularly for young graduates in law and/or the social sciences.

Participation in missions or training courses
The selected candidate is not expected to travel for this position. The candidate is expected to be hired locally (i.e. national intern). 

a. Education 

• Applicants must be enrolled in a university degree such as a Bachelor’s or Master's, or have graduated within three years prior to the application date of the internship.

• Area of study should preferably relate to Law, International Affairs, or related Social Sciences

b. Language

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak)  is required 

• Fluency in Arabic (read, write, speak) is required.

• Knowledge of any of the other UN official languages is an advantage.

• Strong skills in Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Slides) or Microsoft Office equivalent, or other similar software, is desirable.

• Familiarity with guidance on data responsibility in humanitarian action is desirable.

• It is an asset to have some experience in documentation review, data analysis, or administration.

• 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.