Programme Development Intern

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system.

UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.

To support cities, which are at the frontline when natural and man-made crises occur, UN-Habitat has a strong commitment to develop approaches and tools that help them better prevent, prepare and respond. Under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the intern will support the coordination of UN-Habitat’s work on urban crisis prevention and response at Headquarters.

Responsibilities

The objective of this internship is to assist the team in charge of the coordination of UN-Habitat’s work on urban crisis prevention and response at Headquarters, which currently focuses on:

1. the implementation of the UN-Habitat global programme on urban migration and displacement;
2. the development and coordination of UN-Habitat response to crises in urban contexts, including development and backstopping of selected country programmes of UNH;
3. the engagement of UN-Habitat in the implementation of the Secretary General’s Action Agenda for Solutions to Internally Displaced People (IDPs);
4. the preparation of UN-Habitat’s contribution to flagship events in 2025 such as World Habitat Day;
5. the coordination of programme development, reporting and monitoring.

Depending on his/her profile, the intern will support the activities related to the development, implementation and monitoring of programmes/projects, strategies and work programmes, projects, tools, outreach activities of UN-Habitat, and ad hoc operational support to the related functions of the team in charge of urban crisis prevention and response (Subprogramme 4 in UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2020-2025), within the Programme Development Branch, Global Solutions Division.

Under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the Intern’s main duties include:

1. Drafting knowledge products and working documents, reports and correspondence or concept notes;
2. Mapping and analysis of UN-Habitat current portfolio in the field of urban crisis prevention and response, to support the identification of good practices and scale-up of interventions;
3. Support in preparing communication materials to enhance the promotion of UN-Habitat’s work on crisis prevention and response, targeting both internal and external audiences
4. Desk studies (of documents, reports, and internet searches) related to urban crisis/urban migration, specifically for planning for future projects.
5. Support in arranging for and participating in internal and external meetings.

This will involve both organizational and substantive tasks, such as preparation of contributions, development of agendas, logistical support, reporting and follow-up actions.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher),
b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent),
c. Have graduated with Bachelor’s degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent.

Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite).

Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.

Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Preferred areas of study: The candidate must be currently enrolled in the final year of a bachelor’s degree, or an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban, humanitarian or development studies, social or political science, Business administration, public information, or a related field.

Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.

Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme.

Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

Your training, education, work, or volunteering experience might have given you opportunities to work on urban crisis/urban migration-related issues, which is a desirable criterion.

Experience in communication and/or support to event management is desirable. If you have proficiency in computer software applications (E.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint), please explain how you excelled your skill.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.