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General Information

Position Title
Programme Management Intern (Youth Engagement)
Job Category
Programme
Duty Station(s)
New York
Seniority Level
Entry Level
ICS Level
Internship
Contract Type
Internship
Contract Level
Internship
Posting Start Date
02-Jul-2026
Posting End Date
23-Jul-2026
Duration
6 months

Job Highlight

To contribute effectively to the delivery of meaningful youth engagement and participation including the UN Youth Compass and to advance the work of other flagships and strategic initiatives at the United Nations Youth Office.

About the Region

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 Portfolio Office (NYPO) 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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States. This portfolio offers support for various initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, it helps the UN Secretariat in implementing global programs in areas such as political affairs, climate, counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.


Job Specific Context

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the activities for the United Nations Youth Office.

On 8 September 2022, the General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 76/306 to establish a United Nations Youth Office as a dedicated entity for youth affairs within the UN Secretariat. The UN Youth Office leads engagement and advocacy for the advancement of youth issues across the United Nations, in the areas of peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. 

Role Purpose

Under UNOPS supervision and working in close collaboration with the UN Youth Office teams, the Youth Engagement Interns will provide support to several youth engagement portfolios for the UN Youth Office including flagship events and intergovernmental processes, implementation of the UN Youth Compass, advocacy, policy and communication support.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The internship position is situated within the Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) of the New York Portfolios Office (NYPO). The intern will provide the following functions:

Support to flagship events and intergovernmental processes

  • Assist in substantive and logistical preparation for major youth-related UN and intergovernmental moments, including the High-level Political Forum (HLPF), UN General Assembly high-level week, and other key global policy fora.

  • Support the development of background notes, briefing packages, talking points, and concept notes related to youth engagement for these processes.

  • Conduct desk research to inform youth-related inputs into intergovernmental discussions, thematic debates, and high-level events.

  • Assist in the preparation of event documentation, including draft agendas, speaker and participant lists, run-of-show notes, and post-event summaries.

  • Support coordination tasks related to youth participation in events and consultations, including tracking inputs, compiling materials, and organizing documentation.

  • Help monitor outcomes of relevant intergovernmental meetings and prepare short analytical summaries highlighting implications for youth engagement and participation.

  • Contribute to internal planning and preparation meetings related to major events.

Support implementation of the UN Youth Compass

  • Assist in desk research and knowledge mapping to support the implementation and further development of the UN Youth Compass as a flagship initiative on meaningful youth engagement across the UN system.

  • Contribute to organizing and structuring online knowledge resources related to the Youth Compass (e.g., supporting development of web-based content, resource pages, or tool repositories).

  • Support drafting short explanatory or guidance materials related to meaningful youth engagement approaches.

Advocacy and policy support

  • Assist in the preparation of background notes, briefing materials, and talking points related to youth engagement and advocacy priorities of the UN Youth Office.

  • Support tracking of relevant global, regional, and intergovernmental processes related to youth, participation, and civic engagement.

  • Conduct basic policy research and synthesize information into concise written formats.

Communications support

  • Support development of clear, compelling communications products (briefs, talking points, web and social content) that advance narratives on meaningful youth participation and UN system priorities.

  • Assist with outreach around high-visibility moments and events, including drafting messaging, coordinating content, and amplifying youth voices across platforms.

  • Monitor media, digital trends, and youth discourse to inform communications planning and ensure messages remain relevant, inclusive, and evidence based.

  • Performs other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent's scope of services above.

Skills

Analytical Skills, Counterterrorism, Information Management, Program Evaluation, Reporting
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required:

  • The applicant 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 application date of the internship.



Experience Requirements

Desired: 

  • While no prior work experience is required, introductory experience in project research, coordination, management, support or administration is desired. 
  • Familiarity with the work of the United Nations Organization, its mandate and main areas of focus, is an asset.
  • Computer literacy with strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and/ or Google Suite is an asset.  
  • Experience in the Middle East region is highly desirable and will be considered a strong advantage.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
ArabicFluentDesirable
FrenchFluentDesirable
RussianFluentDesirable
SpanishFluentDesirable
Chinese, MandarinFluentDesirable

Additional Information

  • UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
  • Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
  • UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
  • We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
  • UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
  • For more details about the contract types, please click here.
  • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
  • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.