Project Management Intern

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 Portfolio 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 Executive Office of the Secretary General (EOSG) of the United Nations to implement the activities of the Climate Action Team (CAT) Project.

There is less than a decade to prevent a climate breakdown. Without deep emissions cuts, the world is heading towards close to a 3 degrees Celsius of warming with catastrophic consequences. At current levels of warming the world is experiencing unprecedented climate impacts. An increase in global average temperature above 1.5 degrees would mean extreme weather and climate disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, putting billions of people at immediate risk with significant parts of Africa becoming unlivable and whole countries ceasing to exist. The Secretary-General’s call to all countries, cities, companies and institutions to go into emergency mode on climate is needed more than ever.

While climate change risks undermining the 2030 Agenda, as well as the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable development, climate action also presents an opportunity. Green investments boost growth and jobs; just transitions are inclusive and help to eradicate poverty; and enhancing carbon sinks strengthen biodiversity and resilience. It will be essential to ensure that the transformation of economies and societies takes place to enable accelerated climate action in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during this decade of action.

The objective of the Secretary-General’s climate action strategy throughout his second term will be to accelerate the pathway towards a resilient, low carbon world, that keeps the 1.5 degrees goal alive, to secure the alignment of public and private finance, of technological transfers and capacity building to enable the necessary cooperation and support needed by developing countries, to significantly enhance the credibility and accountability of commitments taken by governments and non-state actors to reach the Paris Agreement goals.

In the run up to COP30, governments are expected to submit their next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These new NDCs must be economy-wide, aligned with the 1.5 temperature limit and cover all greenhouse gas emissions. These new NDCs should also define national pathways for transitioning away from fossil fuels and how each nation will contribute to the global goals agreed to at COP 28 to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency. It is also essential that the political, economic and regulatory conditions are established over the next two years to ensure maximum ambition by all countries, especially the G20 and other significant emitters.

The voice, convening power and honest-broker role of the Secretary-General, as well as the expertise and capabilities of the United Nations system will need to be leveraged to support this effort. This is particularly relevant given the challenging geo-political environment as well as domestic political uncertainties in many key countries.

The Secretary- General’s Climate Action Team will focus on the following key priorities:

• Supporting the development of 1.5 degrees Celsius-aligned NDCs, which are the climate action plans Parties are mandated to communicate every five years. These plans describe national actions to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts;
• Supporting 1.5 degrees Celsius-aligned energy transition, though mechanisms such as Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) and country platforms. These innovative funding models aim to help emerging and developing countries accelerate just transition toward renewable energy;
• Supporting the implementation of the work on the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals and facilitating dialogue and cooperation on issues such as battery storage, and industrial decarbonization (cement, steel, aluminum), while working closely with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA);
• Promoting understanding and alignment to the Sustainable Development Goals and advising governments through the UN system entities on how to ensure climate action plans are integrated and leave no one behind, through close coordination with the Sustainable Development Unit of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General;
• Strengthening the credibility and accountability of non-state actors’ net zero commitments through the implementation of the recommendations of the High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities (HLEG), by working with the United Nations Global Compact;
• Advocating for the timely operationalization of the Global Goal on Adaptation framework;
• Overseeing implementation of the Early Warnings for All initiative, which was welcomed by COP27 and COP28, to protect everyone on Earth through universal coverage of early warning systems against extreme weather and climate change by 2027,through close coordination with the lead implementation entities, namely, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC);
• Supporting efforts to ensure the delivery of climate finance to developing countries at scale including implementation of the outcomes on finance agreed to at COP 29, accelerating the paces of efforts to reform the international financial architecture and providing platforms for addressing the barriers and obstacles faced by developing countries in mobilizing private finance at scale;
• Advocating for the rapid deployment of the new Loss and Damage Fund that was operationalized at COP28 to be sufficiently resourced while securing further contributions from a variety of sources, through close collaboration with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The incumbent of this position will be a staff member of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Chief of Staff , the incumbent will provide support to the Climate Action Team. The responsibilities include:

• Provide support in organizing high-level meetings and events, including assistance with logistics, drafting background materials, and assisting with follow-ups, including summarizing key points and action items;

• Provide support in research and preparing drafts of concept notes and proposals;

• Provide support drafting reporting on projects, including compiling post-activity reports, creating presentations proposals, assist in organizing data collected in surveys, drafting briefing and background notes as well as project activity summaries and updates;

• Support the collection and organization of climate-related data, ensuring accuracy and consistency while assisting in the preparation of insights and summaries.

  Track and document climate action commitments and transition plans of non-Party stakeholders, compiling relevant updates and key developments;

• Assist in other Climate Action Team activities as needed.

Training components and learning elements

• Programme Management
• Project Management
• United Nations context exposure
• Climate change exposure

Participation in training courses

In addition to accessing UNOPS online training courses and tools, the Intern is encouraged to attend and participate at learning events organized by UNOPS and Climate Action Team.

Mandatory training for all UNOPS personnel on the UN system and access to a learning platform includes a broad variety of courses in different subjects such as human rights, security, cybersecurity, gender mainstreaming, prevention of sexual harassment and others (certificates included).

Education/ Experience/ Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Academic qualifications

Currently enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship. Preferably in International Relations or Diplomacy, International Environment, Climate or related areas.

Language Skills

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For this post, fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Computer Literacy

Computer literacy with strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and/ or Google Suite is an asset.

Internship-related experiences

Introductory experience in project research, coordination, management, support or administration is desired.

Additional requirements

Excellent organizational and communication skills; attention to detail; and determination to meet deadlines are an asset.

Familiarity with the work of the United Nations Organization, its mandate, main areas of focus, United Nations Bodies, etc. is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Internship
Contract level: N/A
Internship duration: Four (4) months with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and necessity of services.

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.

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