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UNFPA Internship programme

 

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s goal is to improve the quality of life of the people Zimbabwe especially women and young people through promoting universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. In particular, to reduce maternal mortality, the unmet need for family planning, new HIV infections and gender based violence, informed by a better understanding of population dynamics and integrated, rights based and sensitive approach.

 

Objectives of the Program:

 

The UNFPA Internship Program offers a small group of outstanding students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UNFPA operations for a period of 1 year maximum. It is designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of UNFPA work in the following Program areas

  • Programme management thematic areas
    • Sexual and Reproductive Health
      • Maternal health
      • Family planning
      • Adolescent Sexual and reproductive Health
      • HIV prevention
      • Gender Based Violence prevention and response
      • Population and Development

 

  • Programme support
    • Administrative and Logistical support to programs
  • Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Programming Operations
    • Finance
    • Administration
    • Human resources
    • Procurement
    • ICT

 

Duration of Internship

UNFPA only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months

Qualifying for an Internship:

Candidates for the internship programme are selected on a competitive basis. Applicants should have expressed interest in the field of development; ability to adapt to new environments and work with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Interns work under the supervision of a staff member at UNFPA.

Education

• Students should be enrolled in an undergraduate / advanced degree programme or have recently graduated
• Students must have written and spoken proficiency in English

Application Requirements

Personal motivation letter demonstrating your interest and commitment to the field of development with a focus on the thematic area of interest

  1. Curriculum Vitae including 2 referees.
  2. Two letters of recommendation from persons with whom you  hold an academic or professional relationship
  3. Letter from College or University
  4. Internship application form
  5. Completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P-11)

Interested applicants are invited to send applications to  the UNFPA Country Representative on email: zimbabwe.office@unfpa.org before 09 November 2018. Applications received through any other source will not be considered.

Notice:

  1. There are no advance fees, application, processing or other fees at any stage of the application and recruitment process.
  2. UNFPA does not solicit, screen or discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
  3. Please note that UNFPA will respond and contact ONLY shortlisted applicants.
  4. UNFPA is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are encouraged to apply.

Financial Aspects:

Interns do not receive a salary or any other form of remuneration from UNFPA. The costs associated with an intern's participation in the programme must be assumed either by the nominating institution, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students, or by the students themselves, who will have to meet living expenses as well as make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and other requirements. In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship. Proof of insurance will need to be submitted before the internship begins.

Subsequent Employment:

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNFPA but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship

Roles and Responsibilities of the Intern

During the internship period, priority shall be given to ensuring the fulfillment of the set objectives on the internship by the college/ university at which the student is enrolled. Over and above these objectives, working closely with the Program staff, the intern will be provided an opportunity to experience the following:

Programmes

  • Assisting in the programme management including planning, implementation and monitoring
  • Assisting in the capacity strengthening of implementing partners
  • Assist in collecting, registering and maintaining information on program activities by reviewing quarterly and annual reports from partners;
  • Assist in preparation of correspondence, status and progress reports by providing information, preparing tables and drafting selected sections of it
  • Assisting in administering the programme, including preparation of correspondence ,procurement of programme inputs of UNFPA and its partners;
  • Performing any other duties as required by the Program or other UNFPA programmes.

Programme Support and M&E

Monitoring, Evaluation and Operations Research

  • Assist in the compilation and collating of data and information required for programme planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting
  • Follow up with implementing partners to ensure that they submit AWP progress reports on time.
  • Assist in review of reports from IPs and collation data and information from IPs’ progress reports
  • Assist in data analysis (including during surveys) and generating charts/graphs for donor, programme or survey reports
  • Assist in preparation of documentation for IP review meetings and internal review meetings
  • Assist in minute taking during programme and review meetings

 

Operations

Procurement

  • Assist with  receiving, inspection and stock count;
  • Assisting with vendor filing;
  • Assist with solicitation through shopping.

Human Resources and Administration

  • Provide assistance on general HR queries and follow up actions;
  • Assists in maintaining confidential personnel records, HR databases and archiving HR folders & documents physically and electronically;
  • Maintaining and updating leave records;
  • Prepare minutes/ take notes in the general staff meeting/ operations meeting and any other meeting as and when held/ required;
  • Conduct physical inventory of assets management at least quarterly and, reconciliation with the Asset In Service Report to identify discrepancies and timely reporting to Asset Focal Point.

Information Technology

  • Provide first line support in deploying and trouble-shooting IT equipment;
  • Support to implementation of ICT systems;
  • Support to networks administration.

Finance

  • Photocopying of vouchers for F10s and submission of vouchers for processing;
  • Processing and follow-up of Internal Payment Memos;
  • Assisting with VAT processing and compilation.

Competencies

Core competencies:

  • Demonstrate commitment to the UNFPA’s core values; respects individual, gender and cultural differences in dealing with others.

Functional Competencies:

  • Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure within an international setting;
  • Effective communications skills and computer skills;
  • Produce quality outputs in a timely manner when assigned a given task;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Ability to remain calm, in control and good humor even under pressure and tight deadlines;
  • Provide support to others who request advice or help.