Intern – Climate Change and Urban Environment

Work Location

In-person, Nairobi, Kenya

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. For close to forty years, UN-Habitat has been working in human settlements throughout the world, focusing on building a brighter future for villages, towns, and cities of all sizes. UN-Habitat promotes strengthened climate action in member states with the aim of reduced GHG Emissions and improved Air Quality, effective adaptation of communities and infrastructure to climate change. As part of its efforts in supporting countries to invest in vulnerable urban communities. UN-Habitat supports countries to mobilize investment from vertical climate funds. UN-Habitat’s Programme Development Branch (PDB) under the Global Solutions Division is overseeing the Agency portfolio in the under the Domain of Change: Strengthened Climate Action and Improved Urban Environment. In PDB, a Climate Change Team is supporting countries in developing urban climate vulnerability and Risk assessments, climate action plans and climate projects. Further, PDB is supporting countries integrate climate change in national urban policies and urban issues in national climate policies, plans and strategies and supports Technical Cooperation. PDB also coordinates the implementation of UN-Habitat’s Environmental and Social Safeguards System (ESSS). Under the general supervision of the Branch Coordinator, reporting to the Programme Management Officer, the intern will carry out duties and responsibilities within the below framework. Responsibilities • Programmatic: Assist in planning and implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation projects, supporting the Flagship programme RISE UP: Resilient Settlement for the Urban Poor. Assist in roll-out of the COP27 presidential initiative SURGe – Sustainable Urban Resilience for the next Generation as well as related initiatives and global climate processes. Support the development of new projects at country, regional or global levels. Assist in the implementation of UN-Habitat’s ESSS. Support Climate Change and Urban Environment Sub-Programme monitoring and reporting. • Knowledge management: Research on contemporary topics related to cities, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable urbanization, with a view to support production of normative publications and the above operations. Research in support of the continual improvement of UN-Habitat’s ESSS and its Environmental Management System implementation. Review UN-Habitat outputs with a view to extract and capture relevant knowledge and experiences, including in the form of technical materials. Support partnerships with a wide-ranging group of urban climate change stakeholders. Support UN-Habitat’s preparations in global events such as Innovate4Cities 2024, WUF12, Biodiversity COP16 and Climate COP29. • Communication: Support the planning, preparation, and delivery of outreach and public events related to Sub-programme 3, such as speeches and talking points, training events, seminars and conferences, assist in communications, website and social media presence. Support drafting of material and/or stories for external and internal audiences. • Other: Support tasks relevant to candidate and the Team, as jointly determined.

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: Currently pursuing or hold a degree in Urban Planning, Climate Change, Environmental Sciences or Management, Environmental Engineering, International Development, Political and International Affairs, Communication or similar relevant topic is required (Master degree or PhD candidate preferable). 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. Computer literacy in standard software applications is required. Excellent communication skills are required, experience in content creation and social media skills are desirable. Good research skills in the field of sustainable urban development or (the social dimension) of climate change are desirable. In the cover letter, the candidate should indicate how an internship with UN-Habitat corresponds to their academic interests or will contribute to their professional development and explain why she/he would be a strong candidate for this internship.

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.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.