United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) are hiring a Kenyan National Programme Support Intern at their Office in Nairobi for a period of 6 Months.
The Intern will gain practical experience supporting the APRA Implementation Office across a range of programme functions. Depending on the intern’s academic background, skills, and assigned workplan, responsibilities may include data and research, economic and policy analysis, international relations and partnerships, communications, knowledge management, and event support.
This internship opportunity may be offered through the below modality: Local Intern: For Kenyan nationals.
About the Region
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.
About the Country/Multi-Country Office
Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.
Job Specific Context
The Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) is an African country-led international partnership that brings together governments and stakeholders working to accelerate the deployment of renewables to enhance energy access, enable green industrialisation, and improve economic and societal resilience. To accelerate and optimize the implementation of APRA on the ground and enhance its operational and programme management capacities, UNOPS/ESAMCO is hosting the APRA Implementation Office.
Role Purpose
The Interns support the APRA Implementation Office by providing multidisciplinary research, analytical, coordination, and communications assistance. The role contributes to evidence-based programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, knowledge products, and operational activities that advance APRA’s objectives. Specific assignments will be matched, where possible, to the intern’s field of study and demonstrated competencies.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Research, Data and Economic and Policy Analysis:
- Conduct desk research, literature reviews, data collection, and information gathering from credible government, academic, institutional, media, and international sources.
- Analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative information; identify trends, risks, opportunities, and policy implications; and contribute to briefs, concept notes, country profiles, reports, and meeting packages.
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement:
- Support stakeholder mapping and relationships, partnership research, correspondence, meeting preparation, and delivery.
- Contribute to developing stakeholder briefs, consultation materials, and engagement products that communicate APRA priorities clearly and accurately.
Communications and Knowledge Management:
- Draft, edit, and format briefing notes, talking points, presentations, newsletters, web or social media content, and other communication products for internal and external audiences.
- Help maintain country information, contact lists, project repositories, calendars, databases, shared files, and other knowledge-management resources, while applying appropriate quality-control and confidentiality standards.
Programme and Event planning and logistics Support:
- Assist with programme coordination and the preparation of meetings, workshops, consultations, and events, including agendas, invitations, participant materials, presentations, note-taking, documentation, and action tracking.
Learning Opportunity
This internship offers a structured opportunity to build practical skills in an international development and renewable energy setting. Assignments will provide exposure to several of the following areas, depending on organizational needs and the intern’s profile:
- Develop interdisciplinary research and analytical skills by gathering, validating, interpreting, and synthesizing information from diverse sources.
- Strengthen professional writing, presentation, communication, and data-storytelling skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
- Gain exposure to international cooperation, policy processes, advocacy, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement in an African regional context.
- Improve programme coordination, knowledge management, event support, teamwork, and other transferable professional skills through hands-on assignments and feedback.
Qualifications
Education Requirements
Required: A minimum first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), or enrollment in a postgraduate programme, or graduation from such studies within three (3) years prior to the start date of the internship assignment.
Relevant fields include Economics, Statistics or Data Science,Energy or Environmental Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
Skills
Data Collection, International Relations, Policy Analysis, Report Writing, Stakeholder Engagement
Experience Requirements
Desired: Relevant academic, volunteer, extracurricular, or internship exposure in research, data, economics, policy, international relations, communications, knowledge management, or programme support is desirable; no prior professional experience is required.
Strong writing, organization, and presentation skills, demonstrated through reports, briefs, presentations, research papers, or digital content.
Proficiency in standard office and collaboration tools. Familiarity with analytical tools (such as advanced Excel, R, Python, SQL, Power BI or Tableau) or communications tools (such as Canva, Adobe applications, content-management systems or social media platforms) is an asset, depending on the assignment.
Interest in international development, renewable energy, climate action, green industrialisation, economic transformation, or African regional cooperation is an asset.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English Required
Competencies
Integrity & Inclusion: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Leading Self and Others: Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others.
Partnering: 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).
Results Orientation: 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.
Agility: 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.
Solution Focused: 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.
Effective Communication: 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.
