Programme Management Intern

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

The East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), headquartered in Bangkok, supports UNOPS operations across 24 countries in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the Pacific. Established in January 2023, EAPMCO provides strategic direction, operational support, and quality assurance to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of projects across its portfolio. EAPMCO implements initiatives in priority areas such as energy transition, climate change, and sustainable development, drawing on UNOPS' core expertise in human resources, procurement, infrastructure, fund management, and programme management.

The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP), a programme of UNOPS, brings together governments and philanthropies to work with partner countries in the region. We support the transition towards modern energy systems that can simultaneously ensure economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Enabling the transition toward greener energy systems will greatly contribute to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement objectives. 

ETP focuses on Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, which are the countries in the region with the highest energy demand, a substantial pipeline for fossil fuel-based projects, and a significant and cost-effective potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency. ETP provides high-level technical advisory support, holistic support to Governments on financing and technical needs, capacity and skill development, and facilitation of dialogues in all related areas. 

At UNOPS, interns are integrated into project teams as valued members and are entrusted with a balanced mix of support functions and independent assignments with meaningful responsibility. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager and in close coordination with the Regional Coordinators, the intern will support activities aimed at strengthening project management capacity while gaining hands-on experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder coordination.

The internship includes a structured learning and development plan with clear learning objectives, regular mentoring and feedback sessions, and progressively more independent assignments. Through participation in team meetings, technical discussions, and project activities, the intern will develop core competencies in project management, analytical thinking, communication, and stakeholder engagement, while regularly reviewing progress with the supervisor to support continuous professional growth.

• Research and analyze information on developments in the energy sector, with a focus on energy transition issues in Southeast Asia; and provide periodic updates and issue-based summaries and reports.

• Research and analyze information on projects and partners; assist with project implementation; prepare project documents and communication materials. 

• Support activities with particular focus on implementing the projects; assisting with event planning and preparation, and  procurement plans; coordinating the quarterly and monthly assurance tasks; as well as improving the Project Management processes. 

• Collect and process data for inclusion in ETP reports, in coordination with the M&E Specialist and Communication Officer, and others as needed.

• Provide help in the daily communication with projects’ stakeholders and all parties involved.

• Perform secretarial duties by taking meeting minutes during project management meetings, or as required. 

• Support the preparation of briefing materials ahead of meetings between ETP and partners.

• Provide other project management support within the scope of the responsibilities outlined above.

Required:

• The applicant should have completed a Minimum First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), or be enrolled in a postgraduate program or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the start date of the intern assignment.

Required:

• Demonstrated experience conducting desk-based research and analysis, synthesizing information from multiple sources, and presenting findings clearly and concisely through academic coursework, research projects, internships, or other relevant experiences.

• Demonstrated proficiency in Google Workspace or equivalent Microsoft Office applications, particularly MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Desired:

• Some professional experience in the field of international development, project management, administration, engineering or other relevant fields is desirable.

• Familiarity with core concepts related to international development, energy, climate change, infrastructure, or public policy, gained through academic coursework, research, or internships.

• Experience in research, analysis, and report writing related to energy transition or the broader climate change topics in Southeast Asia is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated experience supporting programme or project coordination, including organizing information, tracking tasks, and contributing to the timely delivery of activities.

• Experience working or collaborating in a multicultural, international environment, including with colleagues and partners across different time zones and institutional contexts.

• Experience managing multiple tasks and competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment, including working independently with limited supervision.

• 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.