Partnership Development Intern

Job Highlight

The Partnerships Development Office (PDO) oversees the cultivation of strategic alliances with vital stakeholders throughout the Multi-Country Office’s jurisdiction, identifying requirements and aligning collaboration prospects with the UNOPS mandate. Serving as a cornerstone of the PDO unit, the Partnerships Development intern provides essential assistance across a variety of initiatives. By engaging in practical applications, the intern will acquire substantive expertise to bolster their long-term professional growth. Furthermore, the intern will utilize the UNOPS Learning Zone for professional advancement while offering creative partnership strategies informed by their academic studies.

Role Purpose

The Partnerships intern will work in Zambia based in Lusaka and will report to the Partnerships Specialist. He/She will support the Partnerships Unit by conducting research on donors and market trends, managing internal business acquisition organizational systems, and providing administrative support to the development and finalization of project documents, including but not limited to project descriptions, concept notes, budgets, legal accords, gender action plans, and risk registers.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Partnerships Intern, based in the East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO) in Lusaka, will report to the Partnerships Specialist. This role provides crucial support to the Partnerships Unit across business intelligence, project development, and knowledge management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Intelligence & Market Analysis
• Conduct research and mapping of donor priorities, geographical focus, and alignment with national country strategies.
• Prepare comprehensive business/market analysis reports for key donors and countries to identify new engagement opportunities in the region.
• Track and screen relevant events, publications, and announcements to spot trends and potential UNOPS intervention opportunities.
• Partnerships and Project Development Support
• Assist the Hub in coordinating with potential donors, funding partners, agencies, and institutions.
• Participate in partner meetings, ensuring systematic and timely follow-up actions.
• Provide support in developing essential project documentation, including project descriptions, concept notes, proposals, budgets, legal agreements, risk registers, and gender action plans.
• Liaise with the Africa Regional Office and Headquarters as necessary to secure clearances for finalizing engagements and moving projects to implementation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Knowledge Management
• Ensure organizational systems, such as the internal Partnerships Unit Google Drive, business acquisition tracking tools, and databases, are maintained and frequently updated.
• Provide regular reports on the business acquisition pipeline to the Partnerships Team when required.

Education Requirements

Required:

• Completion of secondary school or equivalent is required.
• The applicant should have completed a Minimum First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) preferably in economics, management, international affairs, political science, development studies or other relevant disciplines, 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.

Requirements

Experience Requirements

Desired:

• While no prior work experience is required, some experience in government, diplomatic, non-governmental or international civil service in the field of partnerships, development, would be an asset.
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite Applications is desirable.