Programme Intern (Strategic Malaria Policy Dialogues)

RBM Partnership to End Malaria is the largest global platform for coordinated action against malaria. Originally established as the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership in 1998, it mobilizes resources, fosters consensus among stakeholders, and drives strategic initiatives to accelerate malaria eradication efforts. With a diverse network of over 500 partners, including malaria-endemic countries, multilateral organizations, private sector entities, NGOs, and academic institutions, the Partnership plays a pivotal role in advancing global malaria control and elimination strategies. In alignment with its mission, the RBM Partnership is organizing the Continental Malaria Vaccine Stocktake Meeting, scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from June 10–12, 2025. This high-level meeting will serve as a critical platform for knowledge exchange, facilitating discussions on the introduction and scale-up of malaria vaccines across Africa.

As part of this effort, the intern will support meeting coordination, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge synthesis to ensure the success of the meeting. This internship presents a unique opportunity to support with collection of policy documents, project reports and evaluations, meetings reports necessary for the due preparation of high-level policy discussions and strategic recommendations that will inform future malaria vaccine implementation efforts.

The intern will contribute to preparatory activities related to the planning, execution, and follow-up of the Strategic Dialogue on the futures of Malaria including the stock take dialogue on malaria vaccines.

Functional Responsibilities

• Support with coordinating preparations for dialogues on the future of Malaria including but not limited to the gathering of policy documents on the knowledge management of  the deployment of malaria vaccines in 19 countries

• Support with consolidation of contact lists of key stakeholders to be engaged in the consultations, including engagement with key partners such as Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, and malaria program managers.

• Support the design and development of pre-read materials to ensure informed participation by stakeholders.

• Assist in synthesizing key learnings from malaria vaccine implementation experiences across African countries.

• Support the documentation of best practices and innovative approaches in malaria vaccine roll-out.

• Assist in compiling key insights and recommendations from strategic meetings.

Training components and learning elements

The incumbent will have access to project and portfolio documentation to learn about project management and development cooperation in the areas the portfolio covers. She/he has the opportunity to join official meetings and learn about UNOPS, and the UN, and multilateral cooperation. She/he will get exposure to key stakeholders, multi-partner donors, international non-governmental organizations and other representatives.

The incumbent will also have full access to UNOPS intranet, Google Currents/Communities of Practice (COPs) in Project Management, Gender Mainstreaming, Innovation and Research, Sustainable Infrastructure, etc.  

• All applicants must be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship in public health, global health, international development or a related field

Professional work experience is not required for this internship. The  following  experience  will however  be  an asset:

• Good knowledge of malaria prevention, vaccine introduction, and health policy is  an asset 
• Experience in research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement is an asset.
• The ability to work in a multicultural, fast-paced environment is an asset.

• Fluency in oral and written English 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.

• Geneva, Switzerland is a family duty station.

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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.