Background Information - Job-specific
RBM Partnership to End Malaria is the largest global platform for coordinated action against malaria. Originally established as the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership in 1998, it mobilizes resources, fosters consensus among stakeholders, and drives strategic initiatives to accelerate malaria eradication efforts. With a diverse network of over 500 partners, including malaria-endemic countries, multilateral organizations, private sector entities, NGOs, and academic institutions, the Partnership plays a pivotal role in advancing global malaria control and elimination strategies. In alignment with its mission, the RBM Partnership is organizing the Continental Malaria Vaccine Stocktake Meeting, scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Cรดte dโIvoire, from June 10โ12, 2025. This high-level meeting will serve as a critical platform for knowledge exchange, facilitating discussions on the introduction and scale-up of malaria vaccines across Africa.
As part of this effort, the intern will support meeting coordination, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge synthesis to ensure the success of the meeting. This internship presents a unique opportunity to support with collection of policy documents, project reports and evaluations, meetings reports necessary for the due preparation of high-level policy discussions and strategic recommendations that will inform future malaria vaccine implementation efforts.
Functional Responsibilities
The intern will contribute to preparatory activities related to the planning, execution, and follow-up of the Strategic Dialogue on the futures of Malaria including the stock take dialogue on malaria vaccines.
Functional Responsibilities
Support with coordinating preparations for dialogues on the future of Malaria including but not limited to the gathering of policy documents on the knowledge management of the deployment of malaria vaccines in 19 countries
Support with consolidation of contact lists of key stakeholders to be engaged in the consultations, including engagement with key partners such as Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, and malaria program managers.
Support the design and development of pre-read materials to ensure informed participation by stakeholders.
Assist in synthesizing key learnings from malaria vaccine implementation experiences across African countries.
Support the documentation of best practices and innovative approaches in malaria vaccine roll-out.
Assist in compiling key insights and recommendations from strategic meetings.
Training components and learning elements
The incumbent will have access to project and portfolio documentation to learn about project management and development cooperation in the areas the portfolio covers. She/he has the opportunity to join official meetings and learn about UNOPS, and the UN, and multilateral cooperation. She/he will get exposure to key stakeholders, multi-partner donors, international non-governmental organizations and other representatives.
The incumbent will also have full access to UNOPS intranet, Google Currents/Communities of Practice (COPs) in Project Management, Gender Mainstreaming, Innovation and Research, Sustainable Infrastructure, etc.
CompetenciesTreats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
All applicants must be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship in public health, global health, international development or a related field
Experience
Professional work experience is not required for this internship. The following experience will however be an asset:
Language
Fluency in oral and written English is required.
Contract type, level and duration - Internship
Contract type: Internship
Contract level: N/A
Contract duration: 4 months initially
This internship is not designed to lead to a staff position with UNOPS. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of the internship.
Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend from UNOPS provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions. Further, UNOPS may provide a one time travel lumpsum as per applicable UNOPS policies. However, they must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and necessary visa arrangements.
Following Swiss legislation, the intern is required to purchase a medical/health insurance from a Swiss based provider within the first 3 months of the internship. UNOPS will provide a monthly lump-sum to contribute to the expense of the health insurance.
For more details about UNOPS internships please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Internships-and-volunteering.aspx
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Geneva, Switzerland is a family duty station.
Terms and Conditions
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.
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.