Portfolio Management Intern - Grants

Contract

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

Background information- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Portfolio Officer, the Intern is expected to provide support to the UN Portfolio Grants management performing a variety of standard administrative processes, ensuring high quality and accuracy of work.

1. Duties and Responsibilities

The Intern directly impacts on the achievement of project results by assisting the Portfolio Officer and the Project Manager to adhere to effective grants management.

I. Grant Set Up

• Collect all documents relevant to the award of grants, including pre-selection letters, budget, etc. Review and verify the accuracy and completeness of documents with the support from the supervisors.
• In coordination with the supervisor and relevant stakeholders, support in drafting Grant Support Agreements/Project Cooperation Agreements and ensure full compliance with UNOPS’ Grant Management Rules and Regulations and Project Management Manual.
• Set up supplier profiles for Delivery Partners in collaboration with the Shared Services Center.

II. Grant Monitoring

• Help the portfolio team in monitoring implementation of grants by tracking timely start, progress, and completion of all activities and proactively highlighting for discussion and action the activities that are at risk of being delayed.
• Help to collate information of individual grant performance into quarterly portfolio reports for the substantive and financial performance of the grant portfolio.
• Assist in preparation of Quarterly Progress Reports for the portfolio
• Assist with developing strategic information, including data visuals and reports, that communicates key evidence with diverse stakeholders.

III. Grant closures

• Assist in the verification that all obligations with regards to the grant are fulfilled by the Delivery Partner.
• Assist in the review of the final financial report submitted by the grantee.
• Provide support to initiate the grant closure process.

IV. General

• Provide support to the portfolio, ensuring that relevant project support functions requiring programme and operational support are provided in a professional and timely manner.
• Support development and upkeep of records, logs, reports and other documents, as required by the portfolio
• Assist the provision of administrative, travel, procurement, HR and logistics support required for portfolio
• Help ensure that all relevant project documents and administrative files are maintained as per corporate requirements.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

V. Knowledge management and innovation

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.
• Contributes feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices.

2. Training components and learning elements

The incumbent will have full access to the Portfolio files, in particular to files and products developed in the context of the implemented activities.

The incumbent will also have full access to UNOPS intranet, the Project ERP system and the Communities of Practice (COPs) in Project Management, Gender Mainstreaming, Innovation and Research, Grants Dashboards, etc.

3. Participation in missions or training courses

The incumbent will have access to the UNOPS Learning Zone and apply for training in Programme Management, Gender Mainstreaming, Coaching, and mandatory training as per UNOPS policy.

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. 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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

A. Education

The applicant should have one or more of the following:

• completed a Bachelor degree
• have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the start date of the intern assignment.
• enrolled in a postgraduate program [Master program]

Area of study should preferably relate to business administration, political science, public administration, law, procurement, finance, Data Analytics or related areas.

B. Language Skills

Proven fluency of English – oral and written is required.

Any other UN language would be an asset.

C. Computer Literacy

Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google Suite is essential.

Knowledge and experience of Google Data Studio will be considered an asset.

D. Internship-related experiences

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience but experience working or volunteering in a multicultural working environment and/or in any of the following areas is desirable:

• SDGs
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Humanitarian or Development work

E. Additional requirements

• Strong analytical skills and an eye for detail
• Ability to maintain regular update of activities and achievements
• Responsible for arranging their own travel and securing any necessary visas.
• Should provide confirmation that they are fit specifically for the duty station conditions, as certified by a medical practitioner. Interns are responsible for receiving clearance from a medical doctor.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Internship Contract level: N/A Contract duration: 6 months

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. 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

This internship position may be based in Geneva, Switzerland or remote.

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
• 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.