Intern - Project Management Support

*** THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION FOR WHICH ONLY APPLICANTS WHO POSSESS THE NATIONALITY OR WORK PERMISSION IN UKRAINE 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 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.

The seventh Operational Phase (OP7) of the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Ukraine 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 Seventh Operational Phase in the target landscapes, the OP8 Country Programme Strategy aims to achieve broader impacts at scale and ensure sustainability of results achieved. The GEF Small Grants Programme in Ukraine operates in a challenging war environment, where urgent environmental needs and significant challenges such as pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion must be addressed. In this context, the program can play a crucial role in addressing these pressing needs through the implementation of projects focused on early green recovery, environmental conservation, restoration, and sustainable development. By investing in environmental initiatives, the GEF Small Grants Programme can help communities rebuild their infrastructure, restore natural resources, and create sustainable livelihoods. Furthermore, the GEF Small Grants Programme in Ukraine can serve as a platform for international cooperation and support. By collaborating with international organizations, donors, and partners, the program can leverage additional resources, expertise, and technical assistance to address the complex environmental challenges arising from the war. This collaboration can help mobilize financial resources, access knowledge and best practices, and promote the exchange of experiences and lessons learned from similar contexts around the world. The GEF Small Grants Programme in Ukraine has a crucial role to play in addressing urgent environmental needs and challenges in a war environment. By implementing projects focused on early green recovery, environmental conservation, restoration, and sustainable development, the program can contribute to rebuilding infrastructure, restoring natural resources, creating sustainable livelihoods, fostering peacebuilding efforts, and accessing international cooperation and support. Through these efforts, the program can contribute to the long-term stability, resilience, and environmental sustainability of the affected communities in Ukraine.

Introducing a new initiative on youth and climate change within the GEF Small Grants Programme in Ukraine will harness the energy and passion of young people, raise awareness, empower young leaders, foster innovative solutions, promote intergenerational collaboration, and provide global recognition and networking opportunities. By actively involving youth in climate action, the program will contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for Ukraine in the face of climate change.

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.

The Project Management Support – Intern will be hired on full-time basis to provide necessary documentation, information gathering and contribute effectively to the improvement of the Monitoring and Evaluation protocols of the SGP Ukraine. Intern will support “Youth and climate change” initiative implementation.  

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.
• 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.
• Participate in the implementation of the SGP Ukraine OP8 Country Programme Strategy M&E Plan.
• Assist the NC and PA in designing data collection tools, templates, and assist in regular data collection or generation process from projects.
• Work with NC and PA to ensure all projects’ reports are submitted on time.
• Review and compile monitoring reports, project progress reports, evaluation reports, photographs, case studies video documentaries, PowerPoint presentations, etc.
• Support NC and PA to ensure that lessons learned from the projects monitored, and evaluations are documented properly in the databases.
• Work with the NC and PA to collect case studies, best practice documentation, lesson learn; and update and manage that information in project's reports and other knowledge products.
• Support the SGP Ukraine Social Media and web resource updates. 
• Assist with all field reports. 
• Support the work of the SGP Ukraine Youth Advisory Group.
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

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.    

Participation in missions or training courses

The selected candidate may be required to travel to visit project sites located in the targeted landscapes.

• Currently enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters,   preferably in International Relations, Environmental Science or related areas.  

Language

• Fluency in Ukrainian (read, write and speak) is required. 
• Basic knowledge of English is desirable. 

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.

Internship-related experiences

• Previous experience with SGP is an added advantage. 

• 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.

Small Grants Cluster

UNOPS executes the UNDP-implemented Small Grants Programme though the Small Grants Cluster. Funded by the Global Environment Facility, the Small Grants Programme efficiently channels direct grants to non-governmental and community-based organizations to help them cope with climate change; conserve biodiversity; protect international waters; reduce the impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants; and prevent land degradation. Helping communities with their initiatives for sustainable livelihoods while generating global environmental benefits is the core inspiration of the Small Grants Programme.