What are the responsibilities and job description for the Partnerships Intern position at UNOPS?
Job Highlight
The New York Board and External Relations Office (NYBER) of UNOPS is seeking an intern to support the organization’s engagement in UN intergovernmental processes, Executive Board affairs, and UN high-level events in New York. The internship offers hands-on exposure to multilateral diplomacy and UN system coordination, including support for the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, Executive Board meetings, side events, and bilateral engagements with Member States and UN partners. The selected candidate will contribute to meeting coordination, protocol and logistical arrangements, monitoring and reporting on UN processes, preparation of briefing materials, and stakeholder outreach, while gaining practical experience in intergovernmental affairs, partnerships, and high-level event management within the United Nations system.
The incumbent of the position will be an intern of UNOPS under its full responsibility.
Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend from UNOPS, provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions. Furthermore, UNOPS may provide a one-time travel lump sum to support this internship. However, the interns must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel.
About
About the Group
Based in New York, the New York Board and External Relations Office (NYBER) manages the organization's relationships with the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS, UN Member States and the broader UN system. The Office positions UNOPS on a variety of strategic initiatives and represents the organization on UN system-wide issues that require inter-agency collaboration and coordination. NYBER’s work ensures effective engagement and alignment with the broader UN system, and enables accountability and transparency towards the Executive Board.
Role Purpose
The role is designed to gain practical experience in UN governance, diplomacy, and external relations, while contributing to the effective delivery of protocol, logistical, analytical, and coordination support across a wide range of interagency and stakeholder engagements.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Required:
Experience Requirements
The New York Board and External Relations Office (NYBER) of UNOPS is seeking an intern to support the organization’s engagement in UN intergovernmental processes, Executive Board affairs, and UN high-level events in New York. The internship offers hands-on exposure to multilateral diplomacy and UN system coordination, including support for the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, Executive Board meetings, side events, and bilateral engagements with Member States and UN partners. The selected candidate will contribute to meeting coordination, protocol and logistical arrangements, monitoring and reporting on UN processes, preparation of briefing materials, and stakeholder outreach, while gaining practical experience in intergovernmental affairs, partnerships, and high-level event management within the United Nations system.
The incumbent of the position will be an intern of UNOPS under its full responsibility.
Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend from UNOPS, provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions. Furthermore, UNOPS may provide a one-time travel lump sum to support this internship. However, the interns must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel.
About
About the Group
Based in New York, the New York Board and External Relations Office (NYBER) manages the organization's relationships with the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS, UN Member States and the broader UN system. The Office positions UNOPS on a variety of strategic initiatives and represents the organization on UN system-wide issues that require inter-agency collaboration and coordination. NYBER’s work ensures effective engagement and alignment with the broader UN system, and enables accountability and transparency towards the Executive Board.
Role Purpose
The role is designed to gain practical experience in UN governance, diplomacy, and external relations, while contributing to the effective delivery of protocol, logistical, analytical, and coordination support across a wide range of interagency and stakeholder engagements.
Functions / Key Results Expected
- Support to UN Intergovernmental Processes
- Monitor and report on developments across key UN intergovernmental bodies, including the General Assembly, ECOSOC, Security Council, Commission on the Status of Women, and Commission on Population and Development, as well as other relevant fora
- Assist in drafting briefing notes and analytical reports, including identifying trends and emerging priorities
- Support to High-Level Week (UN General Assembly, September 2026)
- Assist in preparations for High-Level Week, including facilitating accreditation and access procedures for delegation members and coordinating room bookings, materials preparation, and guest management
- Provide real-time troubleshooting support as schedules evolve and urgent requests arise
- Take notes during meetings and prepare concise summaries or readouts for internal use
- Support to Side Events and stakeholder engagement
- Support the organization of side events on the margins of major intergovernmental processes in New York, including drafting and disseminating communication materials and conducting outreach to Permanent Missions and UN stakeholders
- Support to Executive Board meetings
- Provide logistical and administrative support for formal and informal Executive Board meetings, including technical coordination and note-taking
- Support protocol-related tasks during Board sessions, including managing the speakers’ list and facilitating smooth proceedings during formal meetings
- Bilateral engagements and delegation support
- Assist in the preparation of bilateral meetings by compiling background materials and preparing profiles/CVs of counterparts
- Coordinate logistical arrangements for visiting UNOPS delegations in New York, including booking conference rooms and facilitating building access
- Event protocol and on-site support
- Assist in organizing protocol aspects of official events, including seating arrangements, order of precedence, and guest coordination
- Provide on-site support during high-level visits and meetings, ensuring smooth execution of logistical and protocol requirements
- Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent's scope of services above.
Required:
- Candidates must be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.
- To be eligible for this particular internship, the candidate should have studied or be studying towards a university degree preferably in: developmental studies, political science, international relations or related field.
Experience Requirements
- Experience in the field of intergovernmental affairs, diplomatic missions, communications, and/or partnerships in an intergovernmental organization will be considered an asset.
- Excellent report writing skills are an asset.
- Experience in the usage of computers and software packages (Google Suite/Workspace Office) and experience in handling web-based systems is desirable.