Communications and Knowledge Management Intern

Contract

This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

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.

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.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the UNDP to implement the project activities for the Small Grants Programme.

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) supports activities of non-governmental and community-based organizations in developing countries to address climate change abatement, conservation of biodiversity, protection of international waters, reduction of the impact of persistent organic pollutants, and prevention of land degradation while generating sustainable livelihoods. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as a corporate programme, SGP is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the GEF partnership and is executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Plastics have become an integral part of our daily life: the packaging industry has the most intensive use of plastics, but also agriculture, textiles, transportation, and consumer products have a supply chain filled with plastic. If we do not reimagine and reset our current consumption patterns and waste management practices, by 2050 there will be about 12 billion tons of plastic litter in landfills and the natural environment.

UNDP has developed a Global Plastics Offer to address this urgent crisis and find sustainable solutions. UNDP’s Plastics Offer takes a whole-of-society approach to address plastic pollution holistically and along its entire value chain.

Recognizing the limits of recycling and other downstream solutions, UNDP is prioritizing activities that turn off the tap and stop plastic pollution at its source, including the following measures:

• Eliminate: Supporting measures to drastically reduce plastic production and consumption to stem the tide of plastic pollution.
• Innovate: Investing in new approaches and technologies along the value chain to address our overuse of plastics and boost environmentally sound alternatives and models.
• Circulate: Supporting a transition to a circular approach with sustainability and human well-being at its core, where disposal of waste is minimized and materials are reused, repaired, or recycled.
• Waste management: Boost sound plastic waste management and whole-of-society clean-up activities in leakage hotspots to reduce plastic leakage into the environment, raise awareness and trigger behavioral change.

UNDP’s Plastics Offer focuses on four inter-connected and integrated intervention areas to support governments in designing effective solutions:

• Policies, regulations and coordination;
• Innovation and technology;
• Waste management systems;
• Capacity development, knowledge management, communications, and networking.

To support the operationalization of the Plastics Offer, UNDP’s Plastics Task Force is looking for an intern to conduct communications, knowledge management and advocacy work.

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

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Global Lead of the Plastics Task Force, and the direct supervision of a Communications Specialist and a Knowledge Management Specialist, the intern will help the team to:

• Support the team’s communications and advocacy strategy.
• Research, and support the development and draft compelling communications and knowledge products such as brochures, issue briefs, newsletters, infographics, talking points, social media assets and PowerPoint presentations.
• Identify thought leaders and influencers across different thematic areas.
• Conduct research to support the generation of demand-driven knowledge products on the latest development of approaches, methodologies and strategies addressing plastic pollution (including behavioral change).
• Undertake research to support the development demand-driven knowledge products to identify good practices.
• Research and identify good practices to showcase in knowledge products.
• Support knowledge dissemination and exchange through different engagements (i.e. webinar series, expert consultations);
• Conduct surveys and interviews to collect data and information fulfilling programming and reporting needs.
• Support the Global Plastics Task Force to work across teams on related communications, knowledge management and logistics initiatives.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• All applicants must be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters or PhD (or equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application of the internship. Fields of environmental sciences, natural resources management, sustainability management, marketing, communication, or related field.

Work Experience: No prior working experience is required to apply for the internship but the following skills and experiences are desirable. - Conducting plastics research (quantitative and/or qualitative) - Working on plastics advocacy issues. - Producing communications and knowledge products. - Creating visual assets such as videos or graphics. - Experience understanding complex ideas (such as in reports) and translate them into simple language that anyone can understand. - Strong research and analytical skills. - Experience in standard programmes (MS Office, social media platforms);

Language:

• Excellent English oral and written communication skills.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Internship Contract level: Intern Internship duration: 6 months - subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance

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.

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

Additional Considerations

• 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 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 (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.

Background Information - UNOPS

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 Information - Sustainable Development Cluster

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of 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.