Project Management Intern, Multiple positions

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 Portfolios Office (NYPO) 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 United Nations to implement the project activities for UN Global Pulse.

UN Global Pulse

UN Global Pulse is the Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab. We work at the intersection of innovation and the human sciences to inform, inspire, and strengthen the ability of the United Nations family and those it serves to anticipate, respond and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Our teams are spread across the world, with hubs in Uganda, Indonesia, Finland and the United States. Drawing on more than a decade of experience with digital innovation in the UN family, UN Global Pulse unites specialists from the digital and social sciences in search of solutions to the world’s most pressing problems, from conflict to climate change.

We aim to reduce the risks that innovation involves and move towards the opportunities. We restore public trust in technology by making it inclusive, accessible and ethical. Our input brings value to the work of the UN and external partners in protecting the vulnerable and defending human rights.

The goals of the UN Global Pulse Network are: i) Support efforts to advance innovations ii) Contribute to the development of global frameworks, and iii) Support the transformation of the UN family.

The incumbents of the positions will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

In 2023, UN Global Pulse made significant strides in establishing and executing comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Knowledge Management (KM) frameworks and plans for the organization’s portfolio of projects. The primary focus of the MEL team, based in Finland, has been on assisting teams in implementing a thorough monitoring process for all projects within the organization's portfolio. This process is grounded in a common Theory of Change and a common portfolio approach, that helps teams to be in sync with organizational understanding of impact. In this context, the MEL/KM team have the following three main overarching objectives:

●       Ensure systematic monitoring and knowledge management across all projects by aligning them with corresponding Theories of Change, establishing clear data collection mechanisms for both quantitative and qualitative indicators, and developing detailed results frameworks at project, and organizational level.

●       Establish and implement a comprehensive evaluation plan that addresses organizational evaluation needs beyond project-specific requirements, taking into account the existing capacity and resources of the network.

●       Develop and implement a learning process that encourages project teams to utilize collected data for purposeful analyses, ensuring that insights are continuously reflected upon and used in existing decision-making processes.


2 - Strategic Foresight

To the team at UN Global Pulse, strategic foresight is a collaborative and iterative process for making informed decisions. By following an inclusive approach, we ensure that we make sense of emerging issues and social shifts, recognizing diverse voices.

Launched in 2024, the "Strategic Foresight for an Anticipatory UN RCO System" initiative is a collaborative effort between the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UN DCO), UN Global Pulse, and UN Futures Lab. This project aims to equip Resident Coordinator Offices (RCOs) in 133 countries, across 5 regions with strategic foresight tools for their planning activities.

The three stages of the project (foundational training, individualized country support, and regional support) focus on co-creating and testing different approaches to integrating foresight into the UN’s key planning, strategy and implementation processes. By integrating foresight, RCOs can build more resilient UN Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDFs). These frameworks guide how the UN works with each country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project entails an extensive capacity-building component to strengthen the internal foresight capacities from RCOs. The foundational online training stage is nearing completion. The next phase will involve:

●       Individual Country Support: 12 select countries will receive tailored support within their specific contexts to guide them into integrating foresight into the UN’s programming cycles.    

●       Regional Workshops: These workshops will promote knowledge sharing and collaboration among RCOs, fostering a more systemic understanding of how foresight can add lasting value to UN programs.


3 - Innovation Scaling

The Innovation Scaling team in UN Global Pulse Finland focuses on equipping the UN System with capabilities to take promising innovations to their full potential and make significant change on the world’s pressing challenges. It provides support to the wider UN System to strengthen their innovation scaling capabilities with the goal to embed innovation scaling as a cornerstone of the UN 2.0 transformation. The overall aim is to strengthen the ability of the UN to employ innovation approaches to respond to the complex needs of a rapidly evolving world.

The team conducted a UN System-wide research in 2022/ 2023, which identified significant challenges in the existing support mechanisms for scaling innovations and facilitating widespread adoption. Acting on these evidence-based findings, the Innovation Scaling team has commenced a series of activities in a work portfolio aimed to broaden support for the UN System to reduce duplication, encourage collaboration and reinforce current good practices. These include the:

●       UN Global Pulse Scale Accelerator (Scale Accelerator): A UN System-wide service that acts as a structured programme for UN innovations to develop scale strategies and receive catalytic support (such as the Scale Catalyst Grant) to implement the strategies.

●       UN Innovation Scaling Group (Scaling Group): A special interest group under the UN Innovation Network (UNIN) community of practice, which builds on existing networks to create a community to accelerate the adoption and diffusion of knowledge in innovation scaling across the  UN System.

1. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Knowledge Management

• Conduct desk reviews and background research to identify innovative MEL approaches and opportunities within the UN System and beyond, focusing on applying the Quintet of Change methods.
• Aid in the development of MEL and KM tools and guides, collaborating with the MEL Senior Analyst and team members, and contribute to the creation of data collection instruments such as online surveys and interview guides, as well as collecting responses.
• Assist in using and developing further the portfolio information system in collaboration with MEL, KM and Communications teams.
• Support project teams in gathering, analyzing and visualizing both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of internal capacity-building for colleagues to inform and guide the teams in using new MEL and KM practices.
• Perform any other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above, including participating in meetings and drafting meeting minutes or summaries.

2. Strategic Foresight

Under the supervision of the Strategic Foresight Senior Analyst, the intern will contribute through the following tasks:

Individualized foresight support:

• Support the preparation, coordination and execution of virtual meetings with the participants.
• Assist in coordinating and supporting the preparation of foresight training and mentoring activities (including identifying participants’ foresight needs, and preparation and customization of workshop materials).

• Contribute to knowledge management in the training by:
• Uploading documents and populating templates with relevant data.
• Identifying and sharing technical insights on strategic framing, drawing on lessons learned from the project and own understanding of the topic.

• Participate in participant feedback sessions to capture learnings and challenges through different modalities.
• Support the research activities as needed (this may include research on foresight or country specific emerging challenges and trends).
• Assist in creating short video summaries for training modules in coordination with the communications team.

• Assist in gathering and analyzing data to inform workshop planning and ensure regional relevance.
• Support the development of online workshops tailored for regional contexts, as needed.
• Assist with logistical arrangements and organization for workshops, including documentation and technical support during online sessions.

*Perform any other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

3. Innovation Scaling

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Analyst (Innovation Scaling), the intern will support the Innovation Scaling team with the following tasks aligned to the project management needs of the team:

• Coordination and delivery of activities
• Support the preparation, coordination and execution of virtual, hybrid and/or in-person events and activities. Examples of such activities include but are not limited to: the Scale Accelerator workshop series for UN innovation teams and online webinars for Scaling Group members.

• Track progress and continuous improvement
• Assist the development of monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches in close consultation with other in-house technical analysts to track key milestones especially for the Scale Accelerator and Scaling Group.
• Assist the analysis and visualization of monitoring, evaluation and learning outcomes to contribute to continuous improvement of the team’s activities and reporting requirements.

• Ensure a needs-driven and evidence-based service offer:
• Support desk reviews of related topics to synthesize up-to-date information of innovation best practices or opportunities from within the UN System and beyond, with an emphasis on innovation scaling, to ensure the team’s priority areas remain evidence-based and needs driven.

• Documentation and strategic communication:
• Support the development of materials that contribute to the effective communication and strategic visibility of the team’s work internally and externally to the UN System. This can include assisting with content development and delivery of materials such as newsletters, blogs, social media, slide decks and other channels in collaboration with the in-house communications team.

• Administrative support:
• Perform any other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above, such as assisting in the development of essential documents (e.g., concept notes, reports or agreements), as well as participating in meetings and drafting minutes or summaries.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• The Project Management Interns will work on the assignment full time (candidates who can only work part time might also be considered) for an estimated 6 months.
• The positions are based in Helsinki, Finland. 
• Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend from UNOPS provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions. Furthermore, UNOPS may provide a one time travel lumpsum. However, the interns must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and necessary visa arrangements.

• Applicants must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree or be pursuing an advanced university degree, such as a Masters or a Ph.D., or be a recent graduate from such studies (within the last 3 years).
• To be eligible for this particular internship, the candidate should have studied or be studying towards a university degree preferably in: innovation management, administrative studies, international relations, global development studies, social sciences or another related discipline.

• Experience with monitoring, evaluation and learning processes and knowledge management is an asset.
• Experience with futures and foresight related planning, design, experimentation, training, or tools is an asset.
• Strong interest in innovation scaling and the role of innovation within a development and/ or humanitarian context is an asset.
• Experience in data analysis, visualization, and conducting comprehensive desk reviews is an asset.
• Experience in collating and synthesizing evidence-based knowledge is an asset.
• Experience in communications content production is an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are desirable.
• Strong organizational and project management skills are desirable.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team is desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in English (write, speak, read) is required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an asset.

• 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.

• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.

• 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.

• 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. 

• This position is stationed in Helsinki, Finland which is a family duty station.

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.