WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Internship – Strategic Implementation Intern

Rome, Italy

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies, and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.  We are currently seeking to fill a Communications and knowledge management intern position in our Infrastructure and Facilities Management Branch of the Management Services Division, based in Rome, Italy.

Brief description of the Management Services (MSD) Division:

The Management Services (MSD) division is committed to keeping WFP operations running smoothly and cost efficiently, even in the toughest conditions, so the focus can remain on WFP's core mandate of serving our beneficiaries.

The responsibilities of Management Services professionals include managing travel, accommodation, and protocol support; delivering and maintaining fit-for-purpose facilities; managing WFP’s pool of assets including light & armoured vehicles; providing engineering services; ensuring environmental sustainability and occupational safety and health; and providing guidance on oversight, internal controls, and anti-fraud management.

With the implementation of the Management Services Strategy 2022-2026, MSD is in the process of adjusting its structure to better align its operational support capacity with the new arising needs and coordinate the Front Office during this transition by ensuring the delivering of core business tasks. This adjustment includes strengthening the Front Office set-up to ensure optimal engagement, partnerships and business support services to the MSD senior management and the rest of the Division.

General Information

• Title of Post: Internship
• Unit: MSD
• Country: Italy
• Duty Station: Rome, Italy
• Duration of internship: 6 months (eligible for extension to a maximum of 8-months)
• Expected Start Date: February/March 2022

Duties and responsibilities

Working as part of the MSD Strategic team, led by the MSD Special Assistant and under the latter’s direct supervision the candidate will perform the following duties:

• Support the work on the strategic improvement initiatives including research, analysis, writing content and related documentation.
• Assist with producing regular updates to strategic documents that easily explain to various stakeholders’ program or project level tactics and direction.
• Monitor progresses.
• Perform other duties as required, within MSD.

Qualifications and experience

In order to be eligible you must satisfy both 1 and 2:

1. Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme from a recognized university in Economics, Management, Public relations, or International Relations degree or related field, have completed at least two years of the programme , OR have you recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate programme (within the past six months prior to the application to the internship programme) from a recognized university.
2. University course attendance in the past 12 months.

In addition to the above, the successful candidate will have some of the following skills, knowledge, and or experience:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel).
• Outstanding writing skills, with experience writing and editing documents and reports.
• Knowledge management best practices.
• Experience in working/liaising with different stakeholder is an advantage.

Required soft skills/WFP Competencies:

• Works effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment.
• Comfortable in a rapidly changing environment, with competing and shifting priorities.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Excellent organisational skills.

Working Languages

• Written and oral proficiency in English is essential – written, spoken, oral comprehension – and the presentation of information.
• Intermediate knowledge of another WFP official language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish or WFP’s working language Portuguese) is desirable.

Supervision (Level/Methods of Supervision)

Under the leadership and supervision of the MSD Special Assistant, the incumbent will be provided with close mentoring, guidance, and technical supervision. Performance planning and reviews as well as learning and development discussions will be an elemental part of the supervision. With the support of a comprehensive induction package and the assignment of a buddy/mentor, the intern will rapidly become a productive member of the team.

Training components

Throughout their assignment WFP interns have access to an industry-leading learning platform, WeLearn.  Depending on opportunities and availability of funds, he/she may participate in WFP workshops or seminars, as appropriate.

Learning Elements

At the end of the assignment, the Intern should have:

• An overview of how WFP works and how management services is handled in the organization.
• Good understanding of how to communicate and engage with various audiences for different purposes.
• Familiarity with supporting the implementation of strategies.
• Experience with analysis and reporting.
• Managing and maintaining key information on knowledge management.

Other relevant information

• Reliable internet connection is required

VA Reference no: 399767

Closing Date: 15 February 2023

Please note that the deadline is at 11:59 pm Rome time (GMT + 1)

Terms and Conditions:

• Interns receive a monthly stipend from WFP up to the maximum amount of US$1000 per month depending on the duty station of assignment.
• WFP is not responsible for living expenses or arrangements for accommodation.
• WFP will recognize candidates’ educational credentials from recognized institutions that have been certified by competent international or national authorities such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or Ministries of Education.
• Candidates who bear any of the following relations to WFP staff members are not eligible to apply: sons, daughters, brothers or sisters.

Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.  WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

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