Intern, Operational Support and Quality Assurance Branch, Policy

Job title: Intern
Location: UNFPA, 605 3rd Ave., New York, NY, 10158
Full/Part-time: Full-time OR Part-time 50 %
Remote/In person: In person, with flexibility to work up to fifty percent of the time remote
Duration: 8 to 24 weeks

The Position:

Under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist, Operational Support and Quality Assurance Branch, Policy & Strategy Division, the intern will support the branch in their work related to custodianship of the organization’s Policies and Procedures Manual (PPM). and their work with UNFPA’s implementing partners, including operationalizing the UN protocol on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) involving implementing partners (IP Protocol) and integration into the UN Partner Portal (UNPP).

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.

About UNFPA and 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 womens’ and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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

You would be responsible for:

Working under the direct supervision of the Policy Specialist, PPM to undertake the following tasks:
PPM related:

(a) Scan and archive old policies from policy binders and update/organize the UNFPA digital policy archive
(b) Organize the PPM and PSEA Google drives

Partnership related:
(c) Identify UNFPA implementing partners that are not yet registered in the UNPP and coordinate with offices to register partners and link UNPP profiles to the UNFPA ERP system
(d) Conduct a quality assurance review of the interagency PSEA resource library to identify discrepancies or outdated information in resources, gaps in guidance, etc.
(e) Develop a common PowerPoint theme and create a presentation template that is adaptable to different PSEA training needs
(f) Prepare presentations, as required for upcoming training sessions
(g) Undertake a mapping exercise of various UN agencies guidance on operationalizing the IP protocol (full time intern only)
(h) Take on other ad hoc policy and partnership related duties.

Qualifying for an Internship:

All interns must meet the following educational and other eligibility requirements:

Educational requirements

a. Be enrolled in a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and have completed one full academic year; OR
b. Have recently graduated with a university degree as defined above and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Other eligibility requirements

c. Demonstrate interest in the field of development;
d. Have excellent writing and analytical skills;.
e. Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail;
f. Be fully conversant with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly powerpoint, and ability to quickly learn to navigate a computer system;
g. Demonstrate written and spoken fluency proficiency English. Familiarity in at least one of the other working languages of the United Nations (Spanish or French) is desirable;
h. Ability to write clearly and concisely;
i. Ability to work independently;
j. Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to adapt to new environments and to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.

Learning Elements:

Upon completion of the assignment, and depending on its duration, the Intern will gain the following knowledge assets:
1\. An increased understanding of UNFPA, our mandate and its policies and procedures.
2\. Hands on experience working to to protect beneficiaries from sexual exploitation and abuse.
3\. Gain knowledge on interagency cooperation.
4\. Learn UN technical language and working procedures.
5\. Network with UN colleagues.
6\. Work experience as a team member in a multicultural setting.

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. The stipend is based on the intern’s agreed place of work, which may be different from the duty station of the hiring office in cases of remote arrangements.

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.

How to Apply
Please email your applications to with the subject heading “Policy intern”

Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.