Infrastructure and Project Management (IPM) Intern, Copenhagen, Denmark

Background Information - Job-specific
General Background UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supportin...
General Background

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.
Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background information - IPMG

UNOPS strategic focus places increased emphasis on national capacity development and sustainable approaches to project management, procurement and infrastructure services. A key objective is to be recognized as an organisation that delivers economically and socially sustainable world-class infrastructure and do so even in the most challenging environments. To achieve this goal, UNOPS has established the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG).

Within UNOPS, it is IPMG’s objective to serve the organization’s personnel and partners by broadening their infrastructure and project management capabilities, while disseminating best practices in both of these areas. Through this work, the group helps facilitate the successful delivery of programs and projects around the world.

To achieve its objectives, IPMG has established six interrelated and interdependent technical streams, namely, Strategic Initiatives, Standards, Engagement Assurance, Gender Equality and Inclusion (GESI), Grant Support and Transformation, that are supported by the Portfolio Support team. IPMG is managed overall by the Director of IPMG.

Background information – Engagement Assurance

The Engagement Assurance unit, as part of IPMG, provides an organizational oversight function and considers the application of standards, guidance and best practice throughout the execution of programmes and associated projects.

This unit delivers oversight functions through three teams, that of the Risk Based Performance Assessment team (RBPA), the Organizational Portfolio Management Office team (OPMO) and the Infrastructure Design Review Team (DR).

IPMG's Risk-based Performance Assessment (RBPA) process aims to assist UNOPS Operational Hubs (OH), Operation Centres (OC), and Project Centres (PC) in understanding how portfolios, programmes and projects are being delivered in line with UNOPS systems and processes. These assessments look to define both the organizational and operational risk exposure of the office and support not only the mitigation of risk but also the development of organizational systems, process and standards.

IPMG’s Organizational Portfolio Management Office (OPMO) also assists in the identification of risks and issues associated with portfolios, programmes and projects. The team has a central function of overseeing system-based engagement / programme and project activity and monitoring adherence to policy, process, systems and tools across the organization with a specific focus on infrastructure and project management.

IPMG’s Design Review team has the role of assuring the quality of all infrastructure designs developed and delivered within UNOPS. The primary aims are to ensure that minimum requirements for life safety and functionality of design are maintained and to achieve a consistent, effective and efficient approach in infrastructure activities for our donors and beneficiaries. This position is within the Design Review team.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Under the overall guidance and supervision of IPMG Design Review Coordinator, the successful candidate will be responsible for supporting a variety of tasks to support the design review team. We are seeking qualified applicants who may have a background in infrastructure and project management and who are extremely structured, organized, and detail oriented. The main support areas will be data analysis as well as communication and administration tasks.

At the end of this internship, the successful candidate will have gained in:

• Experience through exposure to UNOPS project management and infrastructure corporate standards and activities.
• Experience with the processes and methods employed to enable quality assurance and design oversight of UNOPS Infrastructure Projects.
• Experience working with international personnel and in a diverse working environment.
• Exposure to an operational arm of the United Nations.
• An appreciation of UNOPS application of international best practices in project management across its global portfolio.

Functional Responsibilities
Support the administration of design review: Respond to or coordinate ...
Support the administration of design review:

• Respond to or coordinate answers to requests related to design review.
• Track the status of and coordinate responsibilities among task owners.
• Log and track the passage of designs through the review process and centrally store all relevant design documentation.
• Support the preparation and operation of daily coordination meetings and weekly risk meetings with regions.
• Contribute to drafting documents to support the progressive development of design review, such as guidance materials, data analysis, etc.

Infrastructure & Project Management Support:

• Support a variety of tasks, work packages and projects as outlined and assigned in the annual work plan for the Engagement Assurance (EA) team.
• Responsible for meeting goals, targets and performance standards as set out by the supervisor.
• Provide analysis and reporting as required; Conduct research and collect data/information.
• Support compliance with all policies, guidelines and instructions set out by the practice and organization.
• Assist in the review of technical infrastructure project documentation for completeness, quality, against the requirements of the relevant technical codes and standards including the verification of low-risk reviews carried out by peer-reviewed, low-risk infrastructure works.

Competencies
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and enc...

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.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
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.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Educational Requirement Completion of secondary school or equivalent i...
Educational Requirement

• Completion of secondary school or equivalent is required.
• Candidates must be currently enrolled in or have recently completed (within three years prior to the application date of the internship) a Bachelor/Master’s/Ph.D. university degree in a relevant area, preferably, but not limited to, Engineering, Architecture, or Planning. A university degree in a relevant field such as International Development or International Relations in combination with some experience preferably in the areas of engineering, architecture and planning may be accepted.

Internship-related experiences
While no prior work experience is required the following experience is highly desirable:

• Knowledge of Google suite, particularly Google Sheets
• The ideal candidate will have experience in one or several of the following areas:
  • Academic research;
  • Engineering;
  • International development or humanitarian response.
  • Data analysis.

Language Skills

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is considered an asset.

Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applic...

• 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. 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.
• 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.

Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Intern Contract level: Intern Contract duration: 6 Months (exte...

Contract type: Intern
Contract level: Intern
Contract duration: 6 Months (extendable to a maximum of 12months subject to satisfactory performance, budget availability, and organizational needs)

For more details about the UNOPS Internship opportunities please follow this link:
UNOPS Jobs | Internships at UNOPS