Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.

UNV engaged 7,303 UN volunteers in 2011, on a total of 7,708 assignments. With an average age of 38 years and the requisite professional skills and qualifications of some 5 to 10 years relevant experience, UN volunteers served in 132 countries in 2011 and came themselves from 162. The majority – 81 per cent – come from developing countries themselves. One third of UN Volunteers served in their own countries, with the others carrying out international assignments. The financial equivalent of programme activities exceeds US$ 235 million annually.

UNV is headquartered in Bonn, Germany and has approximately 150 staff positions – with the majority in Bonn and some positions with different UN peacekeeping and political missions, and in other Headquarters locations (e.g. New York and Tokyo). The major organizational groups within UNV are:

  • The Office of the Executive Coordinator (OEC);
  • The Volunteer Programming and Management Group (VPMG) comprising the Peace and Programming Section (PPS) and the Development and Programming Section (DPS), Volunteer Recruitment Resources Section (VRRS), Result Management Support Section (RMSS), Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation Section (VKIS);
  • The Partnerships and Communications Division (PCD) comprising the Partnerships Section (PS) and the Communications Section (CS);
  • The Management Services Division (MSD) comprising the Information and Communication Technology Section (ICTS), Finance Section (FS), Human Resources Section (HRS), and the Administration Unit (AU). Additionally the Common Services Unit (CSU) provides support to the UN presence in Bonn.

The Result Management Support Section (RMSS) forms part of the Volunteer Programming and Management Group (VPMG). It oversees the application of standard policies and procedures at all levels of the Volunteer Management Cycle and programme development and management as well as the coordination and facilitation of communication and collaboration among all sections of the VPMG. In addition, the RMSS acts as the central service for the implementation of common functions of the PPS and DPS.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Chief and Programme Specialist (Volunteer Management) of Result Management Support Section and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Volunteer Management), the intern will support RMSS as follows:

  • Assist with drafting of Standard Operating Procedures based on UNDP POPP format;
  • Collect data and support development of process explanation guides and brief notes prepared for the roll-out of the new international Conditions of Service;
  • Assist in revising templates of the UN Volunteer Management Cycle;
  • Assist in development of communication materials related to the implementation of the new international Conditions of Service;
  • Updating the Volunteer Management portal webpage content;
  • Support other unit related activities.

The intern is also expected to strengthen his/her knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and other publications.

Competencies

  • Excellent oral and written communications skills; as well as
  • Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree / programme in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Management Studies (Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Law…) or a related field. (Please note that only candidates who will be returning to their studies upon the completion of their internship qualify for an internship with UNV).

Experience:

  • Strong interest in development cooperation and in the work of the United Nations Volunteers programme;
  • Interest and experience in volunteering a strong asset;
  • Experience in developing countries is desirable.

Learning opportunities for the intern:

  • General understanding of the work and mission of the UNV programme, and of volunteerism’s contribution to peace and development effectiveness;
  • Insight and hands-on experience in UNV’s broad range of operational and programmatic issues on volunteer management;
  • Insight and hands-on experience in volunteer management;
  • Become more familiar with working in an International Organization and in a multicultural environment.

Language:

  • Fluency in English.

General Terms and Conditions:

  • UNDP Conditions of Service for interns (http://www.undp.org/internships/) apply for interns working at UNV Headquarters;
  • 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;
  • Please also refer to UNV’s general terms and conditions for internships at UNV at http://www.unv.org/about-us/employment/internship.html.

How to Apply:

  • Applications should be sent by e-mail no later than 5th November 2014 to: marc.liberati@unv.org;
  • Subject of the email should clearly state “Application for UNV RMSS Internship”;

Applications (in English) must include the following:

  • An application form [MS Word];
  • Recent curriculum vitae (CV);
  • A cover letter indicating motivations, skills, competencies relevant for this particular internship and availability dates;

General or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Due to the high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.