ICT Intern (Scaling and Development 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

Global Pulse is a flagship innovation initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General on big data. Its vision is a future in which big data and AI are harnessed and used responsibly as a public good. Its mission is to accelerate discovery, development and scaled adoption of data innovation for sustainable development and humanitarian action. To this end, Global Pulse will work to promote awareness of the opportunities Big Data presents for sustainable development and humanitarian action, forge public-private data sharing partnerships, generate high-impact analytical tools and approaches through its network of Pulse Labs, and drive broad adoption of useful innovations across the UN System.

Global Pulse implements data innovation programs through its Pulse Labs to provide UN and development partners with access to the data, tools and expertise required to discover new uses of big data and AI for development. Global Pulse develops policies, toolkits, applications and platforms to improve data-driven decision-making and support the evaluation of promising solutions.

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting projects carried out for UN Global Pulse. The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Data Innovation Strategist, the intern will have a double focus on project and product coordination, and software development:

• Assist in the product management of Global Pulse tools, including the coordination of user and feature requests, creating product roadmaps, documenting requirements, and creating scaling plans.
• Assist in the project management of software development, including setting up, maintaining, and updating project management tools, project planning, task management, and resource allocation.
• Assist in the development and testing of software tools to extract, process and analyze data sets from a variety of sources.
• Assist in the development of machine learning pipelines to support the creation of insights in Global Pulse's software tools.
• Map functionalities and code bases of UN Global Pulse's in-house tools and similar open-source efforts, and support the creation of any integration and merging plans.
• Train users, create help videos and other documentation aimed at increased adoption, and document processes and workflows related to the use and maintenance of big data software platforms.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

************FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY * CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY**********

Education**

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a university degree program (or the equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three months prior to the application date of the internship. Areas of study include Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Data Science and other related disciplines.

Work Experience

• Knowledge of big data, software engineering, architecture design, and application development is highly desired.
• Knowledge of project management processes and tools is an asset.
• Familiarity with deep learning, NLP/NLU, and computer vision (PyTorch, Keras/Tensorflow, sci-kit learn, NLTK, spaCy) is an asset.
• Familiarity with database performance monitoring and optimization (DynamoDB, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL) is an asset.
• Knowledge of scripting and coding (Python, Node.JS/JavaScript, Java, C++) for data access and analysis is an asset.
• Familiarity with Unix-like command-line based tools and workflows is an asset.
• Knowledge of interactive data visualization development and information design knowledge such as working knowledge of D3.js, leaflet.js, Mapbox or similar libraries and tools is an asset.
• Familiarity with repositories, wikis and creating documentation.
• Ability to maintain clear and concise documentation, files and notes.

Language - Fluency in English

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 - Internship

Contract type: Internship Contract level: N/A Contract duration: ASAP - 31 December 2020

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.

Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend from UNOPS provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions. Further, UNOPS may provide a one time travel lumpsum of 500 USD. However, they must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and necessary visa arrangements.

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.