Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming and mobilizing volunteers. 
UNV is administered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It operates amidst growing recognition that achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will require the ingenuity, solidarity, and creativity of millions of ordinary people through voluntary action. As part of those, every year more than 7300 UN Volunteers, representing 160 different nationalities, are active participants in the programmes of the United Nations itself and almost all United Nations Funds, Programmes and Specialized Agencies in more than 130 countries. 

UNV is headquartered in Bonn, Germany and has approximately 150 staff positions – the majority in Bonn with some dozen positions in different UN peacekeeping missions, and other Headquarters locations (e.g. New York and Tokyo). In the field, UNV has country office teams, composed of UNV Programme Officers (UNV volunteers) and Country Office Assistants, in many of the UNDP country offices. The major organizational groups within UNV are:
  • The Office of the Executive Coordinator (OEC);
  • The Evaluation Unit;
  • The Volunteer Programme and Management Group (VPMG) comprising the Peace and Development Divisions; Volunteer Recruitment Resources Section (VRRS); Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation Section (VKIS); supported by a Quality Assurance Unit;
  • The Partnerships and Communications Division (PCD); and
  • The Management Services Division (MSD) comprising sections for Information Support Services, Finance, Human Resources, as well as Units for Common Services and Administration.
 The UNV Office in New York is part of the Partnerships and Communications Division (PCD) of UNV and is the focal point for strengthening UNV’s relationship with UNDP/HQ and for partnership building with locally-based UN Agencies and Diplomatic missions.  Its focus is on maintaining and strengthening relations with UNDP headquarters, UN Secretariat headquarters and UN system agencies; representing UNV in key New York-based forums and taskforces; liaising with Bonn, Germany. The internship will require interaction with these partners primarily and others that will be identified, as part of the office’s responsibilities. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of UNV Office in New York, the intern will carry out the tasks described below. Particular emphasis will be placed in enhancing UNV’s partnerships with New York based UN entities, universities, foundations, and the private sector, There will be a focus on building and identifying strategic partnerships to advance UNV’s agenda through advocacy for volunteerism.
 
The tasks are therefore as following:
  • Assist the Chief of UNV Office in New York (ONY) in monitoring potential partnerships with New York based UN entities, universities, foundations, and the private sector;
  • Assist in outreach initiatives by preparing materials about UNV’s activities, as and when required for New York based stakeholders;
  • Assist in research and analysis relating to topics on interagency partnerships, public-private partnerships, philanthropic foundations and volunteerism;
  • Attend on behalf of UNV, inter-governmental, interagency and other meetings and tasks forces of direct relevance to UNV and prepare weekly briefing reports;
  • Assist in planning events to cultivate new partners and continue engaging current partners.

Competencies

  • Knowledge of the latest trends in private-public partnership for development;
  • Strong interpersonal, communication/presentation and negotiation skills;
  • Highly organized and independent/motivated;
  • Research ability; strategic, analytical and drafting abilities;
  • Knowledge of volunteering issues and their link to social development, an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic background:
  • Currently enrolled in a Master’s / postgraduate university programme in Social Science, Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, or related fields.
Experience:
  • Experience with resource mobilization, foundations, partnerships, is an asset;
  • Volunteer experience is highly desirable.
Languages: 
  • Fluency in English, with working knowledge of French is preferred.
 
UNDP Conditions of Service for interns:
 (http://www.undp.org/internships/) apply for interns working for UNV) apply for interns working for UNV
  • The Internship Programme operates on a non-remunerative basis. Costs and arrangements for travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern.
 The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNV but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
 UNV accepts no responsibility for the intern’s medical insurance or for costs arising from illness during the internship. Interns are required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and called for a motivational interview that will take place on an ongoing basis.   The description above refers to a full-time internship for 6 months commitments.

Applications (CV & cover letter in English) with an indication of your concrete availability should be sent via e-mail to
ONY@unvolunteers.org.