Partnerships Intern

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) serves as a central operational arm of the UN, delivering sustainable project management, infrastructure, and procurement services to help global partners implement peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development initiatives. Operating out of Geneva, Switzerland, the UNOPS Geneva Office (GVA) manages a diverse global portfolio covering fund management, program implementation, advisory services, and operational support. Because UNOPS GVA oversees numerous global programs executed through Implementing Partners (IPs) from a central location, it relies on complex, remote, and third-party monitoring systems to navigate challenges around geographic spread and resource constraints.

To support these expansive global operations, the Partnerships Intern will directly assist the UNOPS Geneva Office with its engagement in high-level global events, stakeholder coordination, communications, and partnership outreach.

The Partnership Intern will support the Geneva office's participation in global events, including planning, coordination, information sharing, and knowledge management. The intern will also provide broader support for partnerships and communications tasks, contributing to the visibility and effective engagement of UNOPS Geneva and its global programmes.

Under the direct supervision of the Partnerships Specialist, the Intern will be supporting the below functions :

1. Global Events Participation Support

• Support events-related planning by identifying and researching specific events, maintaining an updated calendar and event tracker, and coordinating planning activities for delegations and side event applications.
• Help develop and maintain tools related to global events and provide coordination and logistics support in the run-up and post-event phases.
• Draft and coordinate submissions for internal communications related to international days.
• Support information sharing related to global events by identifying and disseminating event timelines and application processes.
• Facilitate regular communications and calls concerning global events and develop key documents to facilitate participation.
• Respond to global programmes' requests and needs related to global events and follow up on key processes such as delegation registration and side event applications.
• Provide logistics support for events and visits as needed

2. Events Knowledge Management and Communication

• Develop internal tools, guidance, and materials as required.
• Facilitate the visibility of UNOPS Geneva and specific global programmes on corporate social media accounts, website, and intranet.
• Undertake research and provide reference materials for the preparation of briefs, notes, and statements.

3. Broader Partnership and Communications Support

• Provide related 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.

Required:

• 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.

Required:

• No prior experience required.

Desirable:

• One-year of experience in the field of business development, communications, and/or partnerships in a reputable organization.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Experience in the usage of computers and software packages (Google Suite/Workspace Office) and experience in handling web-based systems.

• 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.
• 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.