Partnership Development Intern

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

The Partnerships Development Office (PDO) is responsible for developing strategic partnerships with key partners in the countries covered by the Multi-Country Office, and defines needs and matches partnering opportunities within the mandate of UNOPS.

The Partnerships Development intern will play a pivotal role in supporting the PDO team while gaining valuable hands-on, on-the-job learning. This internship is structured as a professional development opportunity; the intern will develop practical skills that will enhance their future career prospects, gain access to certain professional certifications, and utilize the UNOPS Learning Zone Platform for continuous skill development. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to contribute innovative solutions to partnership development, directly leveraging and expanding upon their academic background.

The Partnerships intern will work in Zambia based in Lusaka and will report to the Partnerships Specialist. He/She will support the Partnerships Unit by conducting research on donors and market trends, managing internal business acquisition organizational systems, and providing administrative support to the development and finalization of project documents, including but not limited to project descriptions, concept notes, budgets, legal accords, gender action plans, and risk registers.

The Partnerships Intern, based in the East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO) in Lusaka, will report to the Partnerships Specialist. This role provides crucial support to the Partnerships Unit across business intelligence, project development, and knowledge management.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Business Intelligence & Market Analysis

• Conduct research and mapping of donor priorities, geographical focus, and alignment with national country strategies.
• Prepare comprehensive business/market analysis reports for key donors and countries to identify new engagement opportunities in the region.
• Track and screen relevant events, publications, and announcements to spot trends and potential UNOPS intervention opportunities.

2. Partnerships and Project Development Support

• Assist the Hub in coordinating with potential donors, funding partners, agencies, and institutions.
• Participate in partner meetings, ensuring systematic and timely follow-up actions.
• Provide support in developing essential project documentation, including project descriptions, concept notes, proposals, budgets, legal agreements, risk registers, and gender action plans.
• Liaise with the Africa Regional Office and Headquarters as necessary to secure clearances for finalizing engagements and moving projects to implementation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

3. Knowledge Management

• Ensure organizational systems, such as the internal Partnerships Unit Google Drive, business acquisition tracking tools, and databases, are maintained and frequently updated.
• Provide regular reports on the business acquisition pipeline to the Partnerships Team when required.

Required:

• Completion of secondary school or equivalent is required.
• The applicant should have completed a Minimum First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) preferably in economics, management, international affairs, political science, development studies or other relevant disciplines, or be enrolled in a postgraduate program or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the start date of the intern assignment.

Desired:

• While no prior work experience is required, some experience in government, diplomatic, non-governmental or international civil service in the field of partnerships, development, would be an asset.
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite Applications is desirable.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• 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.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.
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• 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.