Internship, Programme Coordination Unit, Johannesburg ESARO.

The Position:

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Programme Coordination Advisor, East and Southern Africa

Regional Office (ESARO), the intern will support the Programme Coordination Unit in the areas of 

1)implementation of the Regional programme Action Plan (RPAP), aligned to the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026-

2029;

 2) Support programme development, oversight and assurance of country programmes;

3) Review and monitor programme budgets and financial expenditures;and 4) support development and

implementation of systems, mechanisms and tools for effective programme monitoring and

management. The intern will collaborate closely with the Operations and Technical Units to support

coordination and coherence across teams.

A work plan with achievements for the duration of the Internship and learning opportunities will be agreed

upon. Periodic progress meetings will lead to a beneficial environment for the Intern enhancing

her/his/their skills and capacity in areas related to UNFPA’s mandate.

About UNFPA and How You Can Make a Difference.

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every

childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029

articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for

resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the

International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable

Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes:

ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based

violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based

policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody

these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and

ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization

in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need interns who are transparent,

exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering

excellence in programme results.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

   Support to Country programme Development and Implementation

● Support capacity building for Country Offices in the ESA region in the development,

implementation and management of country programmes. This includes supporting

organization of capacity building sessions, providing inputs on session content and

documenting session outcomes;

● Review and provide inputs on the UN Common Country Analysis (CCA); United Nations.

Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and country programme

documents (CPDs) in accordance with the guidelines for developing these programming

documents; monitor country programming roadmaps to ensure that the review process is on

track;

● Support capacity building sessions and follow-up actions in relation to the ESA regional

Programme Review Committee (PRC);

● Support review of country work plans, implementa􀆟on reports, and facilita􀆟ng compliance

with programme and financial procedures and requirements.

Support to Monitoring and Oversight of Regional Programme and budgets

● Assist with monitoring and repor􀆟ng on regional programme implementa􀆟on, including work

plan and budget preparation, analysis and revision;

● Support implementing partner management and assurance activities

● Support monitoring and analysis of Regional and Country Office programme and financial

performance, using key indicators.

Support to Improving Knowledge Management in the RO

● Support regular updates of the PCU programme folder with emerging informa􀆟on, updates,

and session outcome documents to enhance the programming process;

● Prepare knowledge products reflecting emerging issues, best prac􀆟ces, lessons learned from

UNFPA-supported interventions;

● Participate in meetings to review evaluation feedback on the delivery of technical assistance

by the Regional Office;

Qualifying for an Internship

All interns must meet the following educational and other eligibility requirements:

Educational requirements

a. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme in a relevant field (such as master’s programme or

higher in international development, public health, women or gender studies, population and

development);

b. Have recently graduated with a university degree as defined above and, if selected, must start the

internship within one-year of graduation.

Other eligibility requirements

c. Demonstrate interest in the field of development;

d. Demonstrate written and spoken proficiency in at least one of the working languages of the United

Nations (English or French) and fluency in the official language (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian

or Spanish) of the UNFPA office; and

e. Demonstrate ability to adapt to new environments and to establish and maintain good working

relations with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.

Your Experiences:

● Some experience in working with development agencies, including in a volunteer capacity.

● Fluency in English. Knowledge of other languages is an asset.

● Strong analytical and writing skills.

● Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members

from different national and cultural backgrounds.

Learning Elements:

Upon completion of the assignment, and depending on its duration, the Intern will gain the following

knowledge assets:

1. Increased understanding of the UNFPA and the East and Southern Africa Regional Office within

UNFPA

2. Understand the UNFPA mandate and policies, including regional set-up

3. Understand and familiarize with UNFPA Governance and Executive Board

4. Understand UNFPA programme design and delivery mechanisms

5. Understand the dynamics of operational and programme support and communications to the

field, and at the level of HQ

6. Learn UN technical language, working procedures, and coordination mechanisms

7. Write and formulate substantive documents

8. Network with UN colleagues

9. Work experience as a team member in a multicultural setting

Financial Aspects:

Interns receive a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the

internship, if not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government,

foundation, or scholarship programme. The amount of the stipend varies according to the intern’s agreed

place of work, which may be different from the duty station of the hiring office in cases of remote

arrangements. In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship.

Proof of insurance will need to be submitted before the internship begins. UNFPA does not provide

medical insurance for interns.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.