Internship Programs

UNOPS Internships

Paid Internships

The UNOPS internship program allows candidates to apply their knowledge of international development in practice, especially about sustainable development in the construction sector. In addition, interns will have the opportunity to learn directly from the supervision of experienced employees of the agency, contributing to their personal and professional training.

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UNOPS Overview

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a United Nations operational body that aims to translate policies into projects and actions, supporting its diverse partners in the implementation of humanitarian, development-oriented and peace-building actions around the world. The agency works with construction management, provides specialized support to governments in the procurement of goods and services and performs risk control in project management. Headquartered in Copenhagen (Denmark), it has more than 7,000 employees spread across 80 countries, responsible for managing more than 1,000 projects for different partners, prioritizing social, economic and environmental sustainability.

UNOPS’s main focus: Promoting social, economic and environmental sustainability through the efficient management of projects, infrastructure and procurement.

Themes addressed by UNOPS:

Sustainable Project Management
Sustainable Infrastructure
Sustainable Procurement

Description of the UNOPS Internship

What are the fields of study required for the UNOPS Internship?

This internship program includes students and recent graduates from the most diverse fields of knowledge. The areas of study with the highest demand in this program are:

International Relations
Business Management
Finance
Project Management
Engineering
Architeture

What are the tasks performed by the selected for the UNOPS Internship?

The activities performed vary according to the opening and the requirements of the different departments to which interns are allocated. However, generally speaking, the main duties are:

Draft reports and documents;
Take part in meetings, take notes and present relevant contributions;
Carry out research and analysis of relevant themes;
Help in the elaboration of documents;
Suggest improvements to processes and support the working team;
Perform other functions when assigned.

What is the duration of the UNOPS Internship?

The internship period ranges from at least 3 months to up to 6 months at most.

What is the weekly workload of the UNOPS Internship?

There are openings for part-time e fulltime (40 hours per week) internships.

Where are the locations of the UNOPS Internship?

The main offices and departments are located in Copenhagen (Denmark); there are some offices outside the main headquarters located in: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Caribbean and Middle East.

When does the UNOPS Internship start?

The initial date of the internship shall be coordinated between the intern and the organization.

Is there any feedback following the completion of the UNOPS Internship?

At the end of the internship, the supervisor is in charge of preparing an assessment report of the intern’s performance.

Subsequent employment:

Participation in the internship is not related to future employment with the agency. During the internship period and within six months immediately after the program you will not be eligible to apply for or be appointed to any effective position. However, the work experience in the agency will be a distinctive feature in your curriculum, which may facilitate your hiring by other organizations inside or outside the UN System.

UNOPS Internship - Salary

Interns may receive a monthly amount from UNOPS provided that they are not financed by another institution. It is estimated between $770-$850 per month. The amount of the internship grant may vary according to each department and region.

UNOPS Internship - Requirements

What is the education requirement of the UNOPS Internship Program?

Be enrolled in a graduate school program (Master’s or PhD), or;
Be enrolled in an undergraduate school program (Bachelor’s level or equivalent), or;
Have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate course in the last 3 years.

What is the language requirement of the UNOPS Internship Program?

Fluency in English is required for most of the openings. However, in some regions it may be necessary to be fluent in French or Spanish. Knowledge of another language in the UN System (such as Arabic, Chinese and Russian) will be an advantage in the selection process.

What is the age requirement of the UNOPS Internship Program?

Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of enrollment.

What is the nationality requirement of the UNOPS Internship Program?

There are no nationality restrictions.

What are the competencies required for the UNOPS Internship Program?

The main competencies required are:
Strategic vision;
Integrity and openness to inclusivity;
Leadership and teamwork;
Being result-oriented;
Agility, communication skills and problem solving focus.

Other requirements:

Knowledge in conventional software (Word, PowerPoint and Excel) may be required.

What are the restrictions of the UNOPS Internship Program?

An applicant may not be a child or sibling of any organization staff member.

UNOPS Internship - Application process

When to apply for the UNOPS Internship Program?

Application deadlines vary depending on the openings and the needs of the organization. Therefore, it is important to search for internship opportunities on our website and social media platforms.

How to apply for the UNOPS Internship Program?

The internship application process is done via the Global Personnel Recruitment System (GPRS) – where all the internship openings are published. It comprises the following steps:

Access the GPRS website (https://jobs.unops.org/);
Fill out a registration at UNOPS Jobs. You will have to provide information such as personal data, educational background, professional experiences, language proficiency and skills;
Search the vacancy;
Fill out the specific application form for the internship;
Submit your application.

What are the phases of the selection process for the UNOPS Internship Program?

The selection process may vary depending on the department or office to which the intern is applying, but generally comprises the following steps:

Creating a profile and preparing an application;
Submitting the application;
Evaluation of the application;
Competency-based interview;
Selection notifications.

How is the UNOPS Internship Program interview?

Usually, only selected applicants will be contacted for the interview, which lasts about 30 minutes and may be done via Skype or phone. The main points covered in the interview vary according to the opening and department chosen. In general, however, the questions address subjective or behavioral aspects, such as your expectations about the job, your interests in the area of expertise you are applying for and your previous experiences.

What are the documents to submit for the UNOPS Internship Program?

The application process also requires you to submit:

Cover Note/Letter;
CV/résumé.

What is the evaluation criteria of the UNOPS Internship Program?

You will be evaluated regarding your previous experience, skills and competencies, and educational background.

Other information:

It is important to send your application in advance. The internships openings at the Global Personnel Recruitment System (GPRS) are removed at midnight of the deadline in relation to Copenhagen’s timezone (GMT+1).

UNOPS Internship - Costs

The agency offers no financial aid to cover costs related to preparing for or doing the internship. However, you may request financial aid from a sponsoring institution, for example, a university and/or government agency in your country.

Visa:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs and arrangements of obtaining the visa (if needed to do the internship).

Insurance:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs of enrolling in a valid global medical insurance plan.

Accommodation:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for accommodation expenses during the internship period.

Other:

You or your sponsoring institution will be responsible for the costs and arrangements of the trip to the workplace to which you have been assigned.