Project Management Support - Intern

*** THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION FOR WHICH ONLY APPLICANTS WHO POSSESS THE NATIONALITY OR A VALID RESIDENCE AND WORK PERMIT IN SRI LANKA 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.

The seventh Operational Phase (OP7) of the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Sri Lanka aims to build upon the long-standing achievements of SGP in the country, specifically involving strengthening civil society organizations and improving socioeconomic conditions for local communities through implementation of participatory conservation, restoration, and sustainable livelihood interventions. 

Expanding upon the integrated approaches initiated during the Sixth Operational Phase in the target landscapes of the Knuckles Conservation Forest, Mannar coastal region, and the urban wetlands of Colombo, the OP7 project aims to achieve broader impacts at scale and ensure sustainability of results achieved. 

The three project landscapes cover expansive and complex rural and urban geographies. Globally significant biodiversity in these regions faces a variety of threats influenced by a variety of drivers. These factors, many of which have been exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, have led to biodiversity loss, degradation of fragile ecosystems, and restricted opportunities for local communities to sustain nature-based livelihoods. The project strategy addresses the threats and barriers in the target regions to generate multiple benefits for biodiversity, land degradation, climate change and the well-being of local communities through participatory, integrated land and resource management approaches implemented across socio-ecological production landscapes. 

Reaching an estimated 4,000 direct beneficiaries, 50% of whom are women, the project will facilitate community-driven interventions that generate global environmental benefits, including bringing an estimated 18,000 ha under improved landscape management practices, and restoring 10,000 ha of degraded forest, agricultural, shrubland, and wetland ecosystems. The durability of the results achieved will be ensured through implementation of integrated landscape approaches, supported by multi-stakeholder governance platforms that foster enabling partnerships among civil society organizations, national and local government entities, private sector enterprises, and academic research institutions.

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

Under the direct supervision of the National Coordinator, the intern will be expected to provide support to the UNDP-GEF/SGP Team.

Main Responsibilities

• Assist designated NGOs, CBOs and community groups in identifying, formulating, monitoring and evaluation of projects and formulation of lessons learned.
• The intern will assist the National Coordinator and the Programme Assistant in the compiling of data of all SGP implemented projects past and present and updating the electronic database
• Assist the National Coordinator in the organization of stakeholder workshops and project development sessions for NGOs, CBOs, and other stakeholders to explain the programme, and to assist designated potential applicants in making the link between local environmental problems and the global concerns of the GEF focal areas and operational programs.
• S(he) will be expected to assist the Small Grants Programme on any other work the programme may be tasked with. 

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• The intern will prepare a final report of the duties performed

• First level university degree (Bachelors or equivalent) in Environmental Science or other related discipline is required (candidates must have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship).

Internship-related experiences

• Past experience with Small Grants Programme is an added advantage. 

Language skills:

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

• 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.