The Position:

The intern will support the Country Office (CO) towards enhancing the integration of innovation across various programme areas and bringing-in design and innovative ways to the work for greater attraction and support of UNFPA.

You will report to the Resource Mobilization & Partnership Specialist.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Under the direct supervision of the Resource Mobilization & Partnership Specialist, the intern will support the Country Office (CO) towards enhancing the integration of innovation across various programme areas and bringing-in design and innovative ways to the work for greater attraction and support of UNFPA.

A work-plan with achievements for the duration of the Internship and learning opportunities will be agreed upon. Periodic progress meetings will lead to a beneficial environment for the Intern enhancing her/his skills and capacity in areas related to UNFPA’s mandate.

You would be responsible for:

• Evaluate new technologies, products, and services to assess their potential impact on UNFPA’s work.
• Develop and implement creative solutions to address challenges and drive innovation.
• Support the development and execution of innovative initiatives and projects related to UNFPA’s mandate.
• Assist in implementation of various innovation challenges including that on Gender, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Youth & Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) technologies to access SRHR      information and services.
• Liaise with the innovation team at CO in aligning innovation programmes.
• Coordinate the overall communication and digital engagement activities of the CO innovation work including the social media engagement.
• Support the Resource Mobilization & Partnership Specialist to coordinate country innovation frameworks.
• Support the documentation and knowledge management of the CO innovation portfolio.
• Any other tasks including administrative and operational needs.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Be enrolled in a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and have completed one full academic year.
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as master’s programme or higher).
• Have recently graduated with a university degree as defined above and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation; or
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional trainee programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least three years of experience in digital communications and strategy.
• At least three years’ experience in project and event management.
• Experience on innovation and knowledge management
• A working understanding of youth, SRH and gender equality and gender-based violence work, with a familiarity of regional priorities.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Creative and innovative thinker with the ability to generate new ideas.
• Experience, skill, and knowledge on creative way of ensuring meaningful and inclusive youth participation and engagement.
• Prior experience of working in a development system with good geopolitical understanding of Africa, and in particular the East and Southern Africa region is essential.
• Good knowledge/understanding of the UN system is preferable; experience working in a multilateral organization and development agencies, including in volunteer capacity, is an asset.
• Ability to deliver high quality work within strict deadlines.
• Excellent self-awareness, self-management skills.
• Languages: Fluency in English. Knowledge of other languages is an asset.
• Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work independently and harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds.

Languages: 

Fluency in English language is required.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

Exemplifying integrity,

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,

Embracing cultural diversity,

Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

Achieving results,

Being accountable,

Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

Thinking analytically and strategically,

Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Financial Aspects:

Interns do not receive a salary or any other form of remuneration from UNFPA. The costs associated with an intern’s participation in the programme must be assumed either by the nominating institution, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students, or by the students themselves, who will have to meet living expenses as well as make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and other requirements. However, they receive a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, if not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation, or scholarship programme.

In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship. Proof of insurance will need to be submitted before the internship begins. UNFPA does not provide medical insurance for interns.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.