HOW TO PREPARE AS AN INTER/VOLUNTEER

Many of the graduates searching for Internship/Voluntering or even graduate trainee opportunities often have no idea on where to start. These are not lessons that our colleges or universities prepare us for, but in real life we need to know on how to prepare. Below are pointers that we must know;

1. Internship/Voluntering must be taken serious:- Most of the graduates do not consider this search as a serious business hence we never prepare our Curriculum Vitae properly and Cover letter. The job market especially in Kenya is very competitive, anything short of a good CV and Cover letter will not pass the day. Remember this is the entry point to the job market thus preparation is paramount.

UNOPS -Procurement Intern

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

Background information - AFO

Africa Regional Office

Based in between Copenhagen, Denmark, the Africa Regional Office supports UNOPS country offices in the Africa region, providing financial oversight of projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources.

AFO helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.

Functional Responsibilities

UNOPS is currently looking for one intern to join the Africa Regional sub-Office (AFO) in Nairobi, Kenya. AFO manages a geographically-defined portfolio of engagements, including leading strategy and business development for the region, overseeing management of operations, and ensuring appropriate risk management. Joining UNOPS at our office in Nairobi will provide you with a unique opportunity to obtain first-hand experience of what sustainable development is about.

The Africa Region currently consists of Operational Hubs (a cluster of neighbouring countries) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya and Ethiopia. In addition to this, there is an Operations Centre in South Sudan and a Project Centre in Tunisia.

Australia Awards for Post Graduate

Request Application

The closing date for applications is 12 December 2014.

KENYA: Desired Applicant Profile (DAP) – Master Awards 2016

Kenya Priority Fields

• Agriculture/Food Security
• Extractives (including Mining)
• Health (Including Maternal, Neonatal Child Health)
• Public Policy

Coordinating Authority for Kenya

Directorate of Public Service Management under the Ministry of Devolution and Planning

VOLUNTEER FOR THE GREAT LAKES TEAM (0907)

Amnesty International is looking for a volunteer to assist the Great Lakes Team in their work. The volunteer should be available for a minimum of 3 days a week and preferably 5 days, for 6 months. The contract can be extended or renewed by mutual agreement.

Although the volunteer’s role will be supervised, he/she will be expected to work independently, use their initiative and manage their own tasks. Willingness to undertake some routine administrative tasks is crucial. Projects may be devised by the team in collaboration with the volunteer, which will aim to assist the team in fulfilling its strategic objectives, while making the best use of the volunteer’s own skills, interests and experience.

Volunteering at Amnesty International, one of the world’s leading human rights organizations, can provide valuable experience and you will receive work references at the completion of your assignment. However, please note that volunteering does not lead directly to employment with Amnesty International.