Infrastructure Assistant (Intern)

  • Internship, Full-time staff position
  • Posted on 4 March 2015
  • Closing on 18 March 2015

Job Description

Background Information - Job-specific

The Infrastructure Assistant (Intern) will be a member of the Infrastructure Practice Unit and work under the direct supervision of the Infrastructure Specialist. The role is focused on providing assistance to manage infrastructure projects and to explore new business opportunities for UNOPS. Additionally, the Infrastructure Assistant (Intern) will closely coordinate with the Communications and Partnerships Unit and Portfolio Unit. A significant level of multitasking and a highly proactive approach to work are essential for success in this role.

Functional Responsibilities

  1. Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Infrastructure Specialist, the Infrastructure Assistant (Intern) shall be responsible for performing the following duties:

  • Coordinate with relevant UNOPS colleagues working in business development areas in formulating inception of new infrastructure projects and business leads.
  • Support the management of relationships with development partners, contractors and service providers, ensuring that they have sound understanding of UNOPS project management regulations and processes
  • Participate in coordination meetings with development partners related to infrastructure development
  • In close coordination with the Partnerships Unit, monitor media sources and donor documentations on business opportunities in the infrastructure sector.
  • Review project designs and follow-up actions for project acceptance.
  • Draft project related documents such as work programmes, briefs, presentations, concept notes, or any other document as required, ensuring that documents are accurate and comply to UNOPS format and style.
  • Assist the Infrastructure Specialist in
  • managing the tendering process and in opening and evaluating the bids.
  • coordinating with the other project personnel and the works and design contractors.
  • monitoring project performance to ensure that progress is made according to agreed timelines, quality and costs.
  • resolving issues and problems that may arise in the implementation of projects.
  • tracking project expenditures and cash flow through ATLAS and UNOPS Management Workspace.
  • Draft project related documents such as
  • periodic, annual and completion reports for external and internal clients on infrastructure projects.
  • project proposals and legal documents on infrastructure projects.
  • Perform other duties as required by the Infrastructure Specialist.

The intern is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

  1. Training components and participation in missions

UNOPS highly values interns’ contributions and realizes the importance of learning during an internship. UNOPS thus provides a wealth of opportunities for on-the-job training, studying project-related documents, data analysis and preparation of reports and statistics. UNOPS encourages the intern to raise specific wishes regarding learning opportunities before and during the internship.

The intern will be required to take Basic and Advanced Security in the Field courses before arrival and the Department of Safety and Security briefing immediately after arrival. S/he will take the online UN and UNOPS induction courses on arrival. The intern will participate in the UNOPS Myanmar Induction Training that comprehensively covers all aspects of UNOPS work in Myanmar. S/he will have access to a large offering of online training on the comprehensive UNOPS intranet and opportunities to communicate with UNOPS HQ, Regional Office, and other country offices.

The duties are Yangon-based. Field missions are not foreseen.

  1. Terms and Conditions

UNOPS Myanmar will provide the intern with the following:

  • Workspace in a shared office including computer, stationery, land line

telephone • Use of common office facilities, as for all UNOPS staff • A monthly stipend from UNOPS, if they do not receive funds from other

institutions. Further, UNOPS may provide a one time travel lump sum of USD 500 if the intern is not receiving travel funding from other institutions. However, interns must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel, insurance coverage.

  • Assistance with application for work visa

The internship comes with no expectations of future employment with UNOPS as a direct result of the internship.

The internship is offered for a minimum of 6 months. Candidates who are unable to commit to 6 months are requested to not apply.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

  1. Academic qualifications Either currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD course in an infrastructure-related field (e.g. civil engineering) or have graduated within the past 3 years is required. However, this requirement may be substituted by a degree in other fields (e.g. international relations, public policy, business, social and political sciences, etc.) plus progressively responsible work experience in infrastructure projects or project management.

PRINCE2 (Foundation) certification would be an asset.

  1. Language Skills Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of a second language is an asset.

  1. Computer Literacy • Mastery of Microsoft Office 2010, in particular Excel and PowerPoint. • Ability to draft a range of documents.

  1. Work experience 1 year experience in infrastructure, project management, partnerships or business development-related work is desired.

Competencies

Professionalism – Proven ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, and recommend solutions. Familiarity with UN and UNOPS rules, regulations and policies. Ability to work systematically, accurately and under pressure.

Business acumen- Ability to understand the business logic of particular projects, identify motivations of key stakeholders, assess project costs, benefits and risks.

Analytical and problem solving skills – Excellent ability to make rational judgments from the available information and perform qualitative and quantitative analyses to gain a deeper understanding of a problem and to arrive at optimal solutions.

Planning and organizing - Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision.

Result-oriented - Ability to focus on the result for the clients and respond positively to feedback.

Client orientation - Ability to identify clients’ needs and appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.

Communication - Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally. Good report writing skills. Proficiency in both written and spoken English.

Teamwork - Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment and different stake holders with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Self-reliant: Ability to act independently with a minimum of supervision. Specific assignments may be reviewed while in progress; however the majority are reviewed on completion. Routine duties are performed independently.

Technological awareness - Excellent computer skills and ability to use software tools to present data clearly and concisely; Good working knowledge of MS Office applications including proficiency in Excel, Spreadsheets & Database Software.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Intern Contract level: Other Contract duration: 6 Months Note : The minimum internship is 6 months and candidates with shorter availabilities will not be eligible.

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

All applications must be made on UNOPS Global Personnel Recruitment System (GPRS). https://gprs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VAListing.aspx

In addition, please attach the following documents with the application: 1. CV (maximum 2 pages) 2. Cover Letter (maximum 1 page) 3. Writing sample (maximum 4 pages)

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

About the Organization

Background Information - UNOPS

“UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. I have seen many examples of how these activities help suffering people in troubled parts of the world.” -Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness. By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground. UNOPS employs more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of its partners creates thousands more work opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, a network of five regional offices and a further 20 operations and project centres, UNOPS oversees activities in more than 80 countries. UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information - Myanmar

UNOPS Myanmar is under the UNOPS Asia, Europe and Middle East Regional Office and was established to support, develop and oversee UNOPS’ portfolio of programmes and projects in Myanmar which focus on health programmes and livelihoods and rural development. UNOPS Myanmar ensures that synergies between programmes and projects are effectively developed.

The UNOPS Myanmar portfolio currently includes fund management of the multi-donor Three Millennium Development Goals Fund (3MDG) and the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT). In addition, UNOPS is the Principal Recipient of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grants to Myanmar (PR-GFATM), as well as the Regional Artemisinin Resistance Containment Initiative (RAI). UNOPS is also expanding its infrastructure and procurement services in Myanmar, including advisory services in these areas. UNOPS Myanmar plays a critical role in ensuring quality services to UNOPS’ partners that meet stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness. It is also responsible for liaison with Government counterparts, Donors, NGOs and UN Agencies.

More information

VA Infrastructure Assistant (Intern) VA-6965.pdf

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