Project Management Intern (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning)

Position description

This internship offers an opportunity to contribute to strengthening evidence generation and learning across a dynamic innovation portfolio within the United Nations system. The MEL Intern will support efforts aimed at enhancing the impact and scalability of innovative initiatives by reinforcing monitoring, evaluation, and learning practices. Under the supervision of the MEL Senior Analyst, the intern will gain practical experience in mixed-method monitoring and evaluation, results framework development, data collection and analysis, and knowledge synthesis. The role provides exposure to projects implemented in diverse contexts, including Least Developed Countries, and offers opportunities to contribute to internal reflection processes as well as external communication of findings and insights. This position is well-suited for candidates interested in evaluation, development practice, organizational learning, and evidence-informed decision-making within international organizations.

UN Global Pulse supports the United Nations system in advancing innovative solutions to accelerate sustainable development outcomes. As the organization evolves, its strategic focus increasingly emphasizes supporting promising innovations in reaching greater scale and impact. Through a multidisciplinary approach, Global Pulse works across diverse thematic areas to ensure that innovative initiatives are evidence-informed, context-sensitive, and capable of delivering meaningful and measurable results.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) function plays a central role in this effort. As the organization’s portfolio grows and matures, there is a strengthened emphasis on results-based management and robust mixed-method approaches. Quantitative performance monitoring is systematically complemented by qualitative inquiry to provide deeper insight into how change happens, capture contextual dynamics, and document stories of impact.

The MEL team, primarily based in Finland and collaborating with other offices as relevant, supports project teams across the portfolio by strengthening alignment with organizational Theories of Change, enhancing evidence generation, and fostering a culture of reflection and continuous learning. The team also contributes to internal knowledge management and external dissemination of lessons learned and results across the UN system.

Role Purpose

The purpose of the Project Management Intern (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) role is to support the implementation and continuous strengthening of UN Global Pulse’s organizational Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning framework across its innovation portfolio.

Working closely with the MEL Senior Analyst and project teams, the intern will contribute to:

• Supporting results-based management practices through assisting with the development and refinement of project and portfolio-level results frameworks aligned with organizational Theories of Change.
• Assisting in the design and implementation of mixed-method monitoring approaches that combine quantitative indicators with qualitative insights to capture outcomes, context, and pathways of change.
• Contributing to data collection processes, including surveys, interviews, desk reviews, and background research.
• Supporting qualitative and quantitative data analysis and visualization to inform adaptive management and strategic decision-making.
• Contributing to internal learning and reflection processes by synthesizing findings, documenting lessons learned, and supporting knowledge-sharing activities.
• Assisting in the preparation of materials that communicate results, evidence, and insights to internal and external stakeholders.

Through these responsibilities, the intern will contribute to strengthening the organization’s capacity to generate credible evidence, foster learning, and support the scaling of impactful innovations.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Project Management Intern (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) will support UN Global Pulse’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) work across its innovation portfolio. Under the supervision of the MEL Senior Analyst, the intern is expected to contribute to the following key functions and deliverables:

• Support Results-Based Management and Monitoring: Assist in developing and refining project and portfolio results frameworks and tracking systems.

  • Expected Result: High-quality frameworks and monitoring tools that enable accurate tracking of outcomes.

• Data Collection, Analysis, and Visualization: Support the collection, cleaning, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and assist in creating visualizations and reports.

  • Expected Result: Clear and insightful data outputs that inform project adaptation and strategic decision-making.

• Learning and Knowledge Management: Contribute to internal reflection processes, synthesize lessons learned, and assist in preparing knowledge-sharing materials for internal and external audiences.

  • Expected Result: Well-documented insights and knowledge products that support organizational learning and dissemination.

• Research and Team Support: Contribute to conducting background research and desk reviews on MEL approaches and innovations, and provide general support to the MEL team (e.g., meeting notes, summaries).

  • Expected Result: Timely and relevant research inputs and effective support to the MEL team’s operations.

Skills

Communication, Data Analysis, Organization Skills, Presentation Skills, Active collaboration

Education Requirements

Required:

• Applicants must be pursuing an advanced university degree, such as a Master’s or a Ph.D., or be a recent graduate from such studies (within the last 3 years).
• To be eligible for this particular internship, the candidate should have studied or be studying towards a university degree, preferably in economics, statistics, global development studies, social sciences, international relations, or another related discipline.

Experience Requirements

Desired:

• Experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research in the areas of development and/or humanitarian programmes/projects is desirable.
• Experience with monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes is an asset.
• Strong interest in innovation and the role of innovation within a development and/ or humanitarian context is desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are an asset.
• Strong organizational and project management skills are an asset.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team is desirable.
• Experience in conducting comprehensive desk reviews is an asset.

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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.

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.
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.

Application instructions

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