Internship – New Urban Agenda Support

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.

The position is in the Knowledge and Innovation Branch, located within the External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKID) of UN-Habitat at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

ERSKID is responsible for strategic planning, programmatic direction and operationalization of UN-Habitat’s focal point role for the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 in the UN system.

The Knowledge and Innovation Branch (KIB) is responsible for leading the development of UN-Habitat’s flagship reports, the gathering and reporting on urban data, and the production of cutting-edge knowledge and innovation on cities and urban development.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer and the Senior Information Systems Assistant, the intern reports to the Chief of the Knowledge and Innovation Branch. For this position, familiarity in the New Urban Agenda, SDG 11, and other issues related to UN mandates (gender equality, human rights, etc.) is required.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer and the Senior Information Systems Assistant, working together with other team members, the intern will:

• Support activities related to monitoring and implementation of NUA;
• Produce written inputs and support in drafting/review of NUA related strategies, concept notes, reports, and technical papers;
• Support preparation of NUA sessions and engagement toward the World Urban Forum 13;
• Assist in the planning, preparation, and organization of conferences, events, capacity building activities;
• Support IT related activities on NUA; and
• Perform any other related tasks as may be assigned by the team.

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: At least one university degree should be in a relevant field of study, such as urban planning, architecture, international relations, information and communication technology, or related areas.

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.

Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.), interactive webinar tools (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom, Miro, Mentimeter, etc.), design tools (Adobe Creative Suite) are required. Please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide work samples at a later stage.

Familiarity in the New Urban Agenda, SDG 11, and other issues related to UN mandates (gender equality, human rights, etc.) is required. Please note that you will have to provide evidence or certificates at a later stage.

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.