Project Management Support - 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.

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) 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.

1. Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Specialist, the intern will be expected to provide support to the UNDP-GEF/SGP Team. The intern will support following tasks on national coordination, monitoring, knowledge management, reporting and learning under GEF/Small Grants Programme/portfolio:

• Assist with knowledge management, communications and reporting processes of the GEF/SGP and Nature Pledge activation in Asian and the Pacific region and country offices in relation to local actions
• Assist with work planning and monitoring of regional and national GEF/SGP programmes
• Assist with workshops, seminars, and project development sessions for civil society organizations (CSOs) and local communities, and potential applicants and other stakeholders to inform about SGP and its Strategic Initiatives
• Support the coordination and liaison with government, UNDP Country Offices counterparts and relevant civil society groups to implement the SGP projects
• Support quality control for programme/project documents and deliverables
• Assist with research and data analysis for various thematic components under the GEF/SGP portfolio
• Support on administrative tasks (i.e., procurement, travel) adhering to SGP SOPs procurement rules and regulation; as required for programme implementation

• Currently enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) preferably in Environmental Science or related areas or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.      
• Degree preference for International Organization and International Public Policy, Environment, International Development, Public Administration, Communications, or related fields.
• Experience with other UN agencies is an asset.

Language Skills

• Excellent writing and fluent verbal communication skills in English is required.
• Desired experience of other UN languages is an asset.

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. 

Training Components and Learning Elements     

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

Contract type: Internship Agreement

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. Further, UNOPS may provide a one time travel lumpsum of 500 USD. However, they must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and necessary visa arrangements.

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

• 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.