Partnerships 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

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. 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.

Based in Dakar, UNOPS Senegal Multi-Country Office (SNMCO) covers all of Francophone and Lusophone West Africa and the Maghreb countries (18 countries in all). SNMCO has developed a strong working relation with Governments and international development partners over the last decades. We support our partners in key development areas such as infrastructure rehabilitation and development; project management; capacity development and management services such as procurement and human resources.

The Partnerships unit (PU) has been established to expand our presence in the sub-region, grow SNMCO’s project and programme portfolio and develop strategic partnerships for the region. The Partnerships Unit coordinates, supports and monitors the development of the portfolio.

The Unit reports directly to the SNMCO Director.

Functional Responsibilities

The Partnerships intern will work in the sub-regional office based in Dakar (SMCO) and will report to the Head of the Partnerships Unit. The sub-regional office covers francophone and lusophone West Africa as well as North Africa. He / She will support the Partnerships Unit by conducting research on donors and market trends, supporting partner outreach in the sub-region to communicate on our results, activities, and value-add, and by providing administrative support to the development and finalization of project documents; including but not limited to project descriptions, budgets, legal agreements, gender action plans and risk registers. The incumbent will be responsible for the following specific tasks:

Partner outreach

• Support the preparation of outreach materials customized for targeted key audiences such as donors, UN agencies, governments, foundations, NGOs, civil society and private sector for effective advocacy among existing and potential partners
• Develop presentations, correspondences, briefing notes, talking points and all necessary outreach material
• Support ensuring that the achievements of the Hub’s outstanding projects are properly captured in the right communication formats for external outreach purpose
• Support Partner Surveys and resulting action plans

Knowledge Management

• Ensure that organizational systems are updated and populated frequently including the internal Partnerships Unit Google Drive
• When needed, provide regular reports on business acquisition pipeline to the Head of the Partnerships Unit
• When needed, take minutes at internal and/or external meetings, providing action points for follow-up
• Liaise with the Communications and Partnerships colleagues in Headquarters, as well as project communication focal points as necessary

Business intelligence

• Conduct analysis and mapping of donor priorities, areas of focus and geographical priorities as well as national country strategies
• Prepare business/market analysis reports for major donors and countries in the region to support the development of new engagements opportunities
• Research events, publications and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNOPS interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities

Partnerships and Project development

• Support the Hub’s efforts in liaising with potential donors, funding partners, agencies and institutions
• Participate in meetings with potential partners and ensure their systematic and timely follow-up
• Support in the development of project-related documents including project descriptions, budgets, legal accords, risk registers and gender action plans
• Liaise with AFR Regional Office and Headquarters as needed to assure clearances are obtained in order to finalize engagements and move to implementation of projects
• Perform other related duties as required.

Training components and learning elements

Based in Dakar, the intern will be exposed to working in an international and culturally diverse environment. He / She will benefit from the substantial field experience of a range of international and national colleagues in the areas of partnerships, programme management and operations.

The intern will also have the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience. For instance, he / she will be able to grasp the challenges of developing and implementing projects in development and humanitarian contexts and will gain a thorough understanding of the project management methodology.

Participation in missions or training courses

The Hub strongly encourages training courses for all its personnel. The intern will be able to access the broad range of trainings provided by UNOPS. When appropriate, he / she will also be involved in the trainings organized for the Hub personnel in the areas of Partnerships development and Project Management.

In addition, the intern will have access to diverse knowledge sharing materials such as targeted webinars, articles and meetings with partnerships and project management communities across UNOPS.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

To be eligible the applicants must be pursuing a university degree such as a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, Project Management, Communications, Business Administration, Marketing or other relevant areas or be a recent graduate from such studies (within the last 3 years).

Experience while no prior work experience is required, some professional experience is desirable either in the private or public sector, in areas such as:

• Management
• Research
• Project Management
• Proposal and project development
• Data analysis
• Institutional communication
• Consulting
• Partnership Development
• Resource Mobilization

Knowledge of the Google workspace environment is an asset

Researching, writing and editing content that is clear, concise and effectively conveys key messages to target audiences

Detail focused and ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline oriented environment

Language

• Fluency in French (written and spoken) is required
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is a strong asset
• Knowledge of Portuguese and Arabic is an asset

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

[Instructions: Please delete this paragraph and insert relevant information below:

1. Contract type: Intern
2. Contract level: N/A
3. Contract duration: 6 months renewable

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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• 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.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

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

Working with us We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

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