Procurement Intern

The Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR), based in Geneva, is responsible for the effective management, coordination and oversight of UNOPS operations across the region. The ECR region spans the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Türkiye, where UNOPS works with partners to achieve sustainable impact in health, education, environmental management, housing, rule of law, good governance, economic development, and social inclusion. With a wealth of experience in procurement, infrastructure, project and grant management, UNOPS in the region directly implements projects, provides technical advisory services and capacity building to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in support of national governments.

Since opening in 2019, the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) in Vienna has served as a hub for operations across 12 countries in South-East Europe, Türkiye, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. AUMCO delivers technical expertise, operational support, and sustainable infrastructure solutions for governments, donors, and international financial institutions. Flagship initiatives include Blueing the Black Sea—a GEF and World Bank partnership to reduce pollution and promote sustainable development—and Türkiye’s post-earthquake recovery programme, enhancing protective services for women and children. In Albania, projects revitalise cultural heritage and advance digital justice, while in Kosovo, new university infrastructure supports higher education. In Georgia, AUMCO facilitates the Eastern Partnership European School and strengthens rule of law and digital health access. Across Central Asia, activities range from health system strengthening in Uzbekistan to hazardous waste management in Tajikistan. AUMCO also supports UNOPS’ global Water, Environment, and Climate portfolio, reinforcing its role as a regional and thematic centre of excellence.

Since establishing its presence in Tashkent in 2023, UNOPS has been supporting healthcare infrastructure and service delivery across Uzbekistan. Key initiatives include: - COVID-19 Emergency Response – Strengthening resilience to pandemics by upgrading over 150 Sanitary-Epidemiological Committee facilities. The project delivers infrastructure improvements, diagnostic equipment, an ICT-based national epidemiological surveillance system, and expanded patient treatment capacity. - Oncology Services Development – Enhancing access to quality cancer care by equipping 14 regional hospitals with advanced medical, diagnostic, radiological, and ICT tools, establishing a national cancer registry, and providing capacity building for medical staff. - Hospital Infrastructure Design in Kashkadarya – Supporting healthcare reform through feasibility studies, site investigations, and technical designs for new hospitals in Karshi and Beshkent, aligned with national and international standards. Through these efforts, UNOPS is helping Uzbekistan strengthen its health systems and improve the quality of care for its citizens.

Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management (full service, back on track), HR and Transactional Services, Grants Management and Technical and Advisory Services.

 Uzbekistan Office

 Under the purview of AUMCO, the UNOPS Uzbekistan Office, established in Tashkent in October 2022 supports the Government of Uzbekistan’s development efforts in the country, through the provision of effective project management, infrastructure and procurement services. At present, the office has signed and has been implementing three engagements contributing to SGD3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), while actively working with the Government of Uzbekistan and development partners in diversifying its portfolio in line with the country’s development priorities including education.

 Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Fluency in either Uzbek or Russian is required. Fluency in all three languages (English, Russian and Uzbek) is a strong asset. 

 ***Only nationals of Uzbekistan or persons in Uzbekistan with residence and work permit are eligible for this position***

 ***Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply***

The Procurement Intern supports the procurement team by assisting with contract documentation, PDS system administration, and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of procurement records. The intern will learn and apply UNOPS' rules and procedures, contributing to efficient and compliant procurement processes.

• Review contract-related documentation to ensure completeness and verify that all required documents are available and properly filed.

• Study contract terms and conditions, as well as the documentation requirements for each stage of the procurement and supply chain process.

• Learn and gain proficiency in the PDS system, including document management procedures and system workflows.

• Upload finalized and approved documents to the PDS system in accordance with established filing and naming conventions.

• Verify the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of contract, procurement, logistics, customs, and shipping documents prior to submission and system upload, ensuring compliance with UNOPS, government, and contractual requirements.

• Maintain contract management and logistics monitoring tools and ensure that records are accurate, complete, and kept up to date.

• Create, organize, and maintain electronic versions of contract, procurement, logistics, customs, and other project-related documents, ensuring that records are complete, properly named, and easily retrievable.

• Assist with contract management activities, including maintaining a register of contracts, service agreements, and other operational arrangements (e.g., warehouse, airport handling, customs brokerage, freight forwarding, and logistics contracts), and linking them to the relevant invoices, payment records, and supporting documentation.

• Support the tracking of contract validity periods, amendments, deliverables, and associated documentation to ensure accurate record-keeping and compliance.

• Liaise and coordinate with suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, service providers, and relevant government authorities, as required.

• Provide administrative and technical support to the Procurement and Supply Chain Team in relation to documentation, reporting, logistics coordination, and contract administration activities.

• Assist in the review and verification of shipping and customs documentation received from suppliers to ensure compliance with applicable requirements and facilitate smooth cargo clearance processes.

• Travel within Uzbekistan to support project implementation, logistics activities, cargo inspections, document collection, and other operational requirements, as necessary.

• Support the preparation, organization, and maintenance of procurement, logistics, customs clearance, and contract management records for audit and reporting purposes.

• Perform any other duties and responsibilities assigned by the supervisor

Terms and Conditions

 UNOPS Uzbekistan will provide the Interns with the following:

 * Workspace in a shared office including computer, stationery, and landline telephone
 * Use of common office facilities, as for all UNOPS personnel
* A monthly stipend from UNOPS in the amount of USD680, if they do not receive funds from other institutions. However, Interns must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel, and insurance coverage.

 The internship comes with no expectations of future employment with UNOPS as a direct result of the internship. The internship is offered for a period of 2 months with the possibility of extension up to 1 year.

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program.Applicants who have graduated  within the past three years will also be considered eligible for the position.

No prior experience required, but experience in administrative support, document management, or procurement-related tasks is an asset.

• 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.
  

• 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.