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 join our teams as equal members and are offered a good mix of support work and independent assignments with substantial responsibility. 

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager and in close coordination with the Philippine Country Coordinators, the intern’s role is to support activities aimed at increasing project management capacity.

• Support the development of communication and knowledge materials, including project summaries, presentations, social media or website content, and other materials highlighting ETP activities and results.

• Support stakeholder coordination and day-to-day communication; prepare meeting and briefing materials; document key discussions, decisions and action points; and follow up on agreed actions and information needs

• Assist in the implementation and monitoring of ETP projects, including preparation of project documents, tracking of agreed actions and deliverables, and support to project management processes.

• Research and analyze developments in the energy sector, with particular focus on energy transition issues in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, and prepare periodic updates, issue briefs, background notes, and other analytical materials.

• Provide support for coordinating workshops, consultations, meetings, and other project-related events, including assisting with materials, logistics, and participant coordination.

• Assist in collecting, organizing, and compiling project and programme information for ETP monitoring, reporting, and communications, in coordination with relevant team members.

• Provide administrative and logistical support necessary for effective programme and project implementation, including maintaining project records, organizing documentation, and supporting other tasks as required.

Required:

• Must be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor’s or Master's or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) in International Affairs, Social Sciences, Human Resources, Business Administration, Project management, Engineering Background or other relevant field, OR have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.

Desired:

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

• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural, international environment, including collaborating with colleagues and partners across different time zones and institutional contexts.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment, with minimal 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.