In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. In doing so, UN Member States took an historic step in accelerating the Organization’s goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment:
> Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW)
> International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW)
> Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI)
> United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
The main roles of UN Women are:
> To support inter-governmental bodies, such as the Commission on the Status of Women, in their formulation of policies, global standards and norms.
> To help Member States to implement these standards, standing ready to provide suitable technical and financial support to those countries that request it, and to forge effective partnerships with civil society.
> To lead and coordinate the UN system’s work on gender equality as well as promote accountability, including through regular monitoring of system-wide progress.
Job Description
Job Posting Organization: UN Women was established in July 2010 as a response to the United Nations General Assembly's call for a dedicated entity to advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization aims to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women operates globally, supporting various initiatives and programs aligned with its mission, including the Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and internationally agreed goals such as the Beijing Platform for Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.
Job Overview: The intern will work under the supervision of the Head of the Programme Management Office within the Programme SupportManagement Unit (PSMU) at UN Women. This role is primarily focused on supporting various initiatives related to project management, particularly in the context of the Global Project Appraisal Committee (GPAC). The intern will gain hands-on experience in project development, learning to utilize established templates and adhere to set policies and procedures. The position offers an opportunity to engage in the review and appraisal process of projects, identify gaps in project proposals, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing project evaluation processes. The intern will also assist in the development of knowledge products and assets for the Project and Programme Management Community of Practice, thereby contributing to the overall mission of UN Women in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
Duties and Responsibilities: The intern's responsibilities will include supporting the timely project management of corporate priorities, which involves coordination, communication, and implementation of initiatives related to the GPAC. Specific duties include participating in the review process for projects developed within UN Women, ensuring alignment with the organization's Strategic Plan and compliance with organizational guidelines. The intern will assist in reviewing project documentation for completeness and accuracy, contribute to the development of a new platform for managing the appraisal process, and help identify gaps or discrepancies in project documentation. Additionally, the intern will prepare reports highlighting overall gaps in project documents at the global level and create data visualizations to illustrate the number of projects reviewed and their strengths and weaknesses. The intern will also engage in discussions on improving the project review process and support the development of knowledge products for the Project and Programme Management Community of Practice.
Required Qualifications: Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills to effectively manage the appraisal process of projects. Strong presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills are essential, along with research and analytical abilities. Proficiency in developing online content and familiarity with office software packages and cloud-based systems are required. The intern should demonstrate a constructive approach to problem resolution and a commitment to providing timely support. The ability to handle a complex workload with concurrent deadlines and sound judgment are also important qualifications for this role.
Educational Background: Candidates should have university studies in disciplines such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Social Sciences, Law, Communications, Economics, or other relevant subjects. Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); be in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); have graduated with a university degree and commence the internship within a two-year period of graduation; or be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program that is part of a degree program and undertake the internship as part of the program requirements.
Experience: The position is designed for interns, so prior professional experience is not strictly required. However, any relevant experience in project management, research, or administrative support will be considered an asset. The intern should be eager to learn and develop skills in project evaluation and management within the context of UN Women’s mission.
Languages: Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral, are mandatory for this position. A working knowledge of another UN language is considered an advantage, as it may enhance the intern's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to the organization's global initiatives.
Additional Notes: The internship is unpaid, but interns who do not receive financial support from other sources will receive a stipend from UN Women to help cover basic living costs during the internship. All applicants must submit a completed and signed P.11 form with their application. Due to the high volume of applications, UN Women will only contact successful candidates. Selected candidates will need to provide proof of enrollment in a valid health insurance plan, proof of school enrollment or degree, a scanned copy of their passport or national ID, and a copy of a valid visa if applicable. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives.
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