Infrastructure and Project Management (IPM) Intern

Background information - IPMG 

UNOPS strategic focus places increased emphasis on national capacity development and sustainable approaches to project management, procurement and infrastructure services. A key objective is to be recognized as an organization that delivers world-class infrastructure and project management, which is both economically and socially sustainable, even in the most challenging environments. To achieve this goal, UNOPS has established the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG). 

Within UNOPS, it is IPMG’s objective to serve the organization’s personnel and partners by broadening their infrastructure and project management capabilities, while disseminating best practices in both of these areas. Through this work, the group helps facilitate the successful delivery of programs and projects around the world.

To achieve its objectives, IPMG has established six interrelated and interdependent technical streams, namely, Strategic Initiatives, Standards, Engagement Assurance, Gender Equality and Inclusion (GESI), Grant Support and Transformation, that are supported by the Portfolio Support team.

The Strategic Initiatives (SI) team works to develop methodologies and tools to improve development outcomes as well as assist in the positioning of UNOPS at the highest levels in related fields, including various global agenda focus areas, such as resilience and sustainability. 

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Infrastructure and Project Management Senior Analyst, the successful candidate will be responsible for supporting a variety of tasks and work packages as a part of her/his internship period. We are seeking qualified applicants who may have a background in infrastructure and project management; and who are extremely structured, organized and detail-oriented, as well as have the ability to communicate complex ideas well. The main support areas will be in (but not limited to) research, technical knowledge as well as communication and administration tasks. 

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

• Experience through exposure to UNOPS project management and infrastructure corporate standards and activities; 

• Experience in linking Infrastructure and Project Management impacts to corporate strategies as well as practical applications to achieve high level goals. 

• Experience dealing with a wide range of practitioners experienced in resilient and sustainable infrastructure across UNOPS, other development partners, donors, government and wider civil society, as well as private sector and academia; 

• Understanding of the key role Infrastructure in sustainable development through linkages in Humanitarian, Climate, Development and Peace keeping sectors; 

• Exposure to international personnel in the Head Office and through interaction with field offices. 

The internship is expected to start in August 2024 and last for 6 months (extendable to 12 months upon satisfactory performance and subject to budget availability). 

The successful candidate may be required to work on the following: 

Research coordination support 

• Support data collection and analysis for SI research activities; 

• Conduct literature reviews for SI team initiatives; 

• Support research on infrastructure and project management strategic areas for cooperation with key partners that support UNOPS initiatives. These areas would include the environmental, social and economic impact of infrastructure, with specific focus on areas such as infrastructure’s role in addressing societal inequalities, resilience, climate action, including ensuring infrastructure services as a human right; 

• Prepare materials and post-event summaries for a variety of workshops, missions and discussions with both internal and external partners;

Technical Support 

• Support a variety of tasks as outlined and assigned in the annual work plan for the SI team;

• Maintain, update, and support all relevant documentation  for SI initiatives; 

• Contributing to documenting SI processes Providing analysis and reporting as required for SI team by ensuring compliance with all, guidelines, and instructions in coordination withset out by IPMG and the organization; 

• Assist with monitoring and reporting of SI team performance; 

• Other support tasks as assigned, and 

• Support to project management activities such as updating risk and issue register, minutes of the meeting, coordinating with colleagues within IPMG and rest of UNOPS.   

Administrative and Communication Support 

• Support in communicating SI initiatives to different stakeholders; 

• Support all training/event initiatives within IPMG as required, this includes but not limited to training/events set up, administrative support, and logistics; 

• Support monitoring of the SI task list and budget; and 

• Support in documentation of meetings through notes. 

• Day to day tasks as assigned. 

Required Qualifications and Experience 

Education 

• Completion of secondary school or equivalent is required. 

• The candidate must be currently enrolled in, or have recently completed (within three years prior to the application date of the internship) a Bachelor/Master’s/Ph.D. Degree in a relevant area, preferably in Engineering, Architecture, Planning, International Development, International Relations, Law, or Project management.

Experience

• While no prior work experience is required, some experience in the areas of infrastructure, engineering, architecture, human rights and planning, project / programme management is desirable. 

• Experience with data management for online assessment tools would be considered as an asset.

Additional Requirements

• Knowledge of Google suite is required. 

• The ideal candidate would have experience in one of several of the following areas:

  • Academic research; 

  • Infrastructure development and management; 

  • Climate Mitigation and Adaptation for Infrastructure

  • Development activities in both Humanitarian and Development settings; 

  • Data analysis; 

  • Website and intranet development; 

  • Database development; 

  • Client/donor research 

Language Skills 

• Fluency in English is required; 

• Knowledge of French, Spanish or any other UN official languages would be considered an asset. 

• 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.