Procurement Intern

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

Following devastation caused to life, livelihoods and property by Cyclone Idai in March 2019, the World Bank has allocated up to US$ 75 million to finance a recovery programme for the affected locations in Zimbabwe. The programme addresses both early and mid-term recovery needs in multiple sectors (livelihoods, health, education, agriculture). UNOPS has been requested to establish multiple projects in Zimbabwe to assist with the recovery of the selected areas in Zimbabwe that were most affected by the cyclone.

1. Administrative Procurement Support Services

Under the direct supervision of Procurement Specialist, the Procurement Intern provides a variety of specialized and non-specialized transactional support services, ensuring consistency and quality of work steps completed, as well as optimal information flow:

• Assist in drafting bidding documents, evaluation reports and contract award submissions, ensuring consistency in format and content.

• Process procurement transactions in UNOPS’ corporate system OneUNOPS;

• Assist in the preparation of Purchase Orders, Contracts, LTAs or their Amendments.

• Process invoices for goods and services delivered ensuring accuracy and completeness of documentation and timely payment. Follow up to completion and inform clients.

• Receive, review, log and route incoming communication and procurement requests/invoices.

• Prepare reports, tables, charts etc. applying technical skills and knowledge in formatting and presentations.

• Prepare Statistics and reports, including on Procurement volume.

• Undertake routine follow up action on procurement on behalf of the supervisor; 

• Publish procurement advertisements and awards.

• Maintain status reports on procurement activities and work in progress.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Client Services Client Relationships/ Stakeholder Management 

• Actively work with clients to provide and exchange information on a variety of issues in procurement processes and transactions, to deliver correct and timely services. 

• Provide standardized procurement services, guidance and information to staff of the Business Unit on routine processes and procedures.

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Undertake routine follow up action on procurement Quality Assurance or Knowledge Management issues on behalf of the supervisor and inform supervisor of status.

• Administratively supports the organization and delivery of training and learning initiatives for personnel on procurement.

• Either currently enrolled for University Degree in Procurement, Business Administration, Public Administration, or any relevant subject or have graduated from such studies within the past 3 years prior to the application date of the internship is required.

• Applicants are not required to have professional work experience but experience working in sustainability or corporate social responsibility (through work, education or other) and procurement support services  is an asset;
• Knowledge of business operations, procurement, supply chain, and logistics is an asset;
• Knowledge of business principles and applications in public procurement is an asset;
• Proficiency in the use of GSuite applications and experience in handling of web-based management systems is desired.

• Fluency in written and oral English required; 

• Knowledge of the second UN working language is desirable.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background – Zimbabwe

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peace-building, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  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.  With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The Zimbabwe Hurricane Idai Recovery Programme (ZIRP)  falls under the purview of the UNOPS KEMC (Kenya Multi Country Office) Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes a large portfolio of Infrastructure, procurement and project management service projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and several Island states.