Project Management Intern (Behavioural Science), Multiple positions – Home Based

  • Contractor
  • Remote
  • TBD USD / Year
  • UNOPS profile




  • Job applications may no longer being accepted for this opportunity.


UNOPS

Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the project activities for Global Pulse.

UN Global Pulse is the UN Secretary-General’s innovation lab. Originally established in 2009 to harness the power of big data and artificial intelligence to protect the vulnerable during crises, UN Global Pulse operates as a globally distributed network advancing innovation in the UN’s work for people and planet.

UN Global Pulse (UNGP) works with digital innovation, real-time data and artificial intelligence to further sustainable development, humanitarian and peace outcomes. UNGP’s vision is ‘A world in which responsible and inclusive digital innovation serves people, advances their sustainable development, and protects the planet’. Our mission is to work at the intersection of digital innovation and the human sciences to inform, inspire, and strengthen the ability of the United Nations family and those it serves to anticipate, respond and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Behavioural Science (BeSci) is increasingly being used in governments and multilateral organisations around the world to improve policy and programme formulation, implementation, and evaluation.

Supported by the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General, the UN Behavioural Science Group of the UN Innovation Network, a collaborative interagency community of colleagues interested in behavioural science, promotes awareness and supports behavioural science work at the UN. To date, the group comprises of more than 800 UN members from across 80+ UN Entities in 110 countries (as well as over 1,000 observers from outside the UN).

In 2021, the UN Behavioural Science Group supported the development and publication of a UN-wide Guidance Note and the UN Behavioural Science Report that outlines existing BeSci projects in the UN System as well as steps to further the application of BeSci in the work of the UN. One of these steps is the establishment of a UN Behavioural Science Programme.

The UN BeSci Programme has the following objectives of:

● Increasing BeSci expertise across the UN system by providing knowledge and technical understanding to BeSci projects;

● Strengthening capacity across the UN through training;

● Demonstrating the impact of BeSci for sustainable development both internally within the UN and externally within the broader international community; and

● Enhancing UN external partnerships in BeSci with academia, non-profits, and governments.

The Programme will host internships as a joint offering between the UN Behavioural Science Group of the UN Innovation Network, the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General and UN Global Pulse.

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility. They will work in support of the UN Behavioural Science Group whose members cooperate remotely and from locations in over 100 countries.

Functional Responsibilities

The Interns will provide support to a geographically distributed team of members and contribute to multiple projects (usually 1 – 3) across different UN Entities for the duration of their enrollment in the programme. In collaboration with counterparts in the UN Entities, interns will typically:

  • Contribute to and make suggestions on the application of behavioural science to projects,
  • Support the conceptualization and running of laboratory and/or field experiments,
  • Support designing and delivering introductory trainings for UN Entities,
  • Contribute to the design, implementation and analysis of research,
  • Assist in the development of project briefs, outlining approaches used, impact and lessons learnt, and support knowledge management more broadly,
  • Contribute to the development of thought pieces and briefs,
  • Liaise with the central BeSci team to ensure knowledge transfer.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

This position is available both as full time and part time role, depending on candidates preference. Applicants are asked to include a letter of interest indicating their preference: (part time or full time or both) Education:**
Applicants should be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the applications date of the internship. Areas of study include Cognitive Science, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, Business, Public Policy and other related disciplines with a behavioural science component.

Internship related experience: (The following skills and experiences are desirable but not required)

  • Technical behavioural science expertise is highly desired;
  • Experience in experimental research, including designing and conducting experiments is highly desired;
  • Experience in drafting policy documents and external communication is an asset;
  • Demonstrated interest in sustainable development and a background in issue areas relevant to the UN (e.g. health, gender, climate change) are highly desirable;
  • Experience in quantitative or qualitative research are desirable;
  • Previous experience with an international organization is an asset;
  • Excellent and effective writing skills are an asset;

Language

  • Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
  • Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

How to apply

To apply for this internship – follow this link: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=23574#2


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