JOB DESCRIPTION

General Information

Position Title

Partnerships Intern

Job Category

Partnerships

Duty Station(s)

Geneva

Seniority Level

Entry Level

ICS Level

Internship

Contract Type

Internship

Contract Level

Internship

Posting Start Date

07-Nov-2025

Posting End Date

16-Nov-2025

Duration

6 months (extension is subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance)

Job Highlight

Support global event coordination and partnerships engagement for UNOPS Geneva.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS” strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

About the Group

As part of the Global Portfolio Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

Job Specific Context

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. 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 Geneva, Switzerland, the UNOPS Geneva office (UNOPS GVA) manages a diversified portfolio of global and country specific funds, programmes and projects. The GVA services includes hosting, fund management, advisory services, project/program implementation, procurement, financial and human resources support.

UNOPS Geneva implements and manages a large number of programmes, mainly through implementing partners (IPs), from a central location (head office and/or regional office). The specific set-up of these programmes can present numerous challenges when it comes to establishing monitoring and assurance systems of the implementation by IPs. The geographic diversity, the resource limitations and the size of the portfolio often force global programmes to rely on remote monitoring practices and/or third party service providers.

Role Purpose

UNOPS Geneva is hiring for the position of Partnerships Intern. Under the direct supervision of the Partnerships Specialist, the Intern will:

1- Support the participation of the Geneva office in global events: Assist events planning, Coordinate information sharing to facilitate participation, support on events knowledge management and communication

2- Support on other partnerships and communications tasks.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Reporting to the Partnerships Specialist, who provides general guidance, the Intern is responsible for the following:

1. Global events participation

A- Support events-related planning:

• Identify and research specific events.
• Keep calendar and event tracker updated
• Support events related coordination in planning activities around main dates and events to anticipate for delegations registration and side event applications and proactively reach out when needed;
• Help develop and maintain tools related to global events
• Support Coordination and logistics support in the run-up and post-event
• International days: draft and coordinate submission for internal comms

B- Support sharing information sharing related to global events:

• Identify and share information on events (timelines, application processes, etc)
• Support regular communications and calls related to global events
• Develop key documents needed to facilitate participation
• Respond to global programmes requests and needs related to global events
• Follow up on key processes (such as registration of delegations, side event applications etc)
• Logistics: support on events logistics as needed for events and visits

C- Support events knowledge management and communication

• Develop internal tools, guidance and materials as needed
• Facilitate visibility of UNOPS Geneva and of specific global programmes on corporate social media accounts, website and intranet
• Undertakes research and provides reference materials for preparation of briefs, notes and statements

1. Broader partnership and communications support:

• Provide ad hoc partnership and communications support as needed.

Training components and Learning Elements
The internship will provide hands-on learning in event coordination, partnership support, and communication within a UN operational context, offering exposure to global programmes, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge management practices.

Skills

Communication

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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.

Education Requirements

Candidates must be currently enrolled in, or have recently completed (within 3 years prior to the application date of the internship) a Bachelor/Master’s/Ph.D. Degree in developmental studies, political science, international relations or related field.

Experience Requirements

• One-year of experience in the field of business development, communications, and/or partnerships in a reputable organization will be considered an asset.
• Excellent reporting writing skill is an asset.

• Experience in the usage of computers and software packages (Google Suite/Workspace Office) and experience in handling web-based systems is desirable.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredFrenchIntermediateDesirable

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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.
• 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.

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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.