Background Information – Job-specific

Africa Regional Office

The Africa Regional Office supports UNOPS country offices in the continent, ensuring that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base, and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region. The Africa Regional Office is located in Nairobi, Kenya.

Functional Responsibilities

 

At UNOPS, interns join our teams as equal members and are offered a good mix of support work and independent assignments with larger responsibility. Your focus will be on contributing to the development and strengthening of management and oversight in the Africa Region.

 

Education/Experience/Language requirements

 

Education:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a university degree such as a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D., or have graduated within three years prior to the application date of the internship.

Experience:

• Strong skills in Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Slides, Gmail, Chat, Meet, Calendar, Drive, Forms) or Microsoft Office equivalent, or other similar software, is desirable.
• Particular skills in Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, or equivalent is desirable.
• Some experience in data analysis, administration, or project management is desirable.
• Strong attention to detail is desirable.
• A strong work ethic is desirable.
• Geographical exposure to Africa is desirable.

Language:

• Excellent written and oral skills in English are required
• Excellent written and oral skills in French are desirable

 

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.

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, level and duration

 

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 300, 500 or 800 USD (depending on the location at the moment of being selected for the position). 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

 

Additional Information

 

• 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.
• 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. 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.