Programme Support Intern – EntreprenHER Programme

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The EntreprenHER Programme funded by the De Beers Group since 2018 and implemented by UN Women South Africa Country Office (SACO), supports women-owned micro-enterprises through capacity building interventions including Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training, digital literacy, mentorship, market access support, exhibitions, and small grants.

The overall goal of Phase III of the programme is to equip 1500 low-income women entrepreneurs (micro-entrepreneurs across the 3 countries (Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa) with business skills that contribute to managing their enterprises, create decent jobs and acquire income security and/or autonomy.

Key Programme Objectives:

1. Increase capacity in business and life skills of programme participants to successfully manage their enterprises and improve the quality of their livelihoods.
2. Advocate for and apply policies and strategies that advance the economic empowerment of women micro-enterprises.
3. Leverage innovation and technologies to improve access to markets for micro women enterprises such as the www.buyfromwomen.org online platform and introduce digital literacy as part of the programme.
4. Increase communication and advocacy for visibility and replication of AWOME programme model.
5. Technical and institutional support will be provided to the Implementing Partners to enhance the efficiency in the implementation and operationalization of the AWOME model.
6. Expose women farmers to adopt Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies that will enhance productivity and increase resilience among the women farmers.
7. Facilitate the exposure of women farmers to networks, information, and capacity-building opportunities in male- dominated sectors.
8. Provide programme participants with exposure to both foundational and advanced digital skills training.
9. In South Africa the programme is implemented in partnership with the Local Economic Development (LED) Units in the Blouberg and Musina Local Municipalities. As part of strengthening programme delivery, UN Women seeks to appoint two Interns to support the two municipalities in implementation of the EntreprenHER programme.

Description of Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of EntreprenHER Programme Analyst and in close collaboration with the respective Municipal Leads in Blouberg and Musina, the intern will provide structured programme, administrative, logistical, communications, and data support to ensure effective implementation of the EntreprenHER Programme.

1. Programme & Logistical Support

• Assist with basic logistical preparations for trainings, mentorship sessions, graduations, exhibitions, and stakeholder events.
• Support preparation of materials (attendance registers, name tags, certificates, visibility items).
• Provide on-site support during activities and field visits.

2. Administrative & Coordination Support

• Assist in maintaining organized electronic and physical programme files.
• Support updating simple trackers, beneficiary contact lists, and activity schedules.
• Assist with follow-up communication to beneficiaries and partners as guided.

3. Data and Monitoring Support

• Assist in collecting and organizing attendance registers and supporting documents.
• Support basic data entry and uploading information onto programme platforms under guidance.
• Help check completeness of documentation before submission.

4. Communication Support

• Support basic coordination with communications teams for visibility during events.
• Help ensure correct branding materials are displayed at programme activities.

5. Stakeholder Support and Learning

• Attend selected meetings as an observer and assist with note-taking where required.
• Support basic meeting logistics and coordination.
• Gain exposure to partnership coordination between UN Women, municipalities, trainers, and entrepreneurs.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Programme and project coordination support
• Administrative and organizational skills
• Data collection and basic data management skills
• Ability to work in rural and community-based settings
• Ability to work collaboratively with municipalities and community stakeholders
• Basic knowledge of entrepreneurship development or small business support programmes
• Good time management and multitasking ability

Qualifications

Education:

• University or TVET studies in one of the following disciplines: _Entrepreneur/Business studies Development Studies, Social Studies, Public Administration, or other relevant subjects is required.
• Meet one of the following:

1. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
3. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a two-year period of graduation; or
4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program which is part of a degree programme and undertake the internship as part of the program requirements.

Language:

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English are required;
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in Sepedi and / or Xivhenda are required;

Renumeration:

Interns who are not in receipt of financial support from other sources such as universities or other institutions will receive a stipend from UN Women to partially subsidize their basic living costs for the duration of the internship.

Application Information:

• All applicants must submit a completed and signed P.11 form with their application.
• Due to the high volume of applications received, UN Women can ONLY contact successful candidates.
• The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of enrollment in a valid health insurance plan at the duty station of the internship, proof of school enrollment or degree, a scanned copy of their passport/national ID and a copy of a valid visa (as applicable).

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.  All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.