* FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY *
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
To achieve its goals, UN Global Pulse is looking for Project Management Interns to support Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning & Knowledge Management, Strategic Foresight, and Innovation Scaling in the Finland Office. Selected candidates will work in one of the following areas of specialization, and they are encouraged to express their preferred area(s) of work in the cover letter.
1 – Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning & Knowledge Management
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
Under the supervision of the MEL Senior Analyst, the MEL/KM intern will collaborate with project teams to support the implementation of the organizational MEL framework and plans. The MEL/KM intern will undertake the following duties:
2. Strategic Foresight
Under the supervision of the Strategic Foresight Senior Analyst, the intern will contribute through the following tasks:
Individualized foresight support:
Assist in planning, designing and implementing the individualized foresight support for 12 pilot country teams. All tasks are carried out under the guidance of the assigned country focal points and include:
Continuous improvement, learning and knowledge management:
Regional workshops:
*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:
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
In coordination with the UN Global Pulse Finland staff, the Project Management Interns will report on progress and assure the timely deliverables of the agreed outputs. The Project Management Interns are expected to exercise flexibility in the internship regarding the potential of dynamically adapting working arrangements so that the outputs can be delivered.
Education:
Experience:
Language:
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: Internship
Contract level: N/A
Contract duration: 6 months with possibility of extension
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
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