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 the United Nations agency for human settlements. Based in Nairobi (Kenya), it is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks. During the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2015, 193 Member States, convened at the Global Summit on Sustainable Development to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are universal and relevant to all Member States, from both the global north and global south. As demonstrated in the past years of implementation, it is widely acknowledged that the local level and local action are critical for the overall success of the 2030 Agenda – the SDGs need to be localized. In this context, UN-Habitat has developed a comprehensive approach to support and empower local and regional governments to localize the SDGs, including: (i) Global Urban Monitoring Framework; (2) Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs); (3) SDG Cities Initiative; (4) Multilevel Governance for the SDGs; (5) Local 2030 Coalition. SDG Localization is considered one of UN-Habitat’s strategic priorities. In this sense, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team, under the Urban Practices Branch, is mandated to coordinate the support towards local and regional governments and SDG localization within the Agency. To successfully deliver on the above-mentioned approach globally, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team works through four workstreams: (1) Technical assistance; (2) Learning and Capacity Building; (3) Political Engagement with Local and Regional Governments; (4) Advocacy and Communication. UN-Habitat’s global portfolio on SDG localization is coordinated in HQ, but the delivery of the work is implemented in close cooperation with Regional and Country Offices, following the structure of the Agency. Collaboration with other units and teams within UN-Habitat is ensured to build on existing knowledge, practices, and experience. Relations with external partners are also paramount for an inclusive and effective implementation of programmes, projects and initiatives, including other UN entities, international organizations, local government associations, academia and civil society. Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Human Settlements Officer on SDG localization and local governments, the intern will contribute to the SDG Localization team in the following ways. Operations: • Assist with the coordination of programme activities, as well as monitoring and reporting of related projects, including drafting the project concept notes and agreements, development of workplans, and project implementation • Support programme’s database management and monitoring of ongoing and pipeline projects. • Support event/meeting planning and preparation, including assistance in substantive tasks such as preparing contributions, developing agendas, logistical support, reporting, and follow-up actions. • Assist with the internal coordination and communication with UN-Habitat’s Regional and Country Offices and relevant substantial and technical teams in HQ on project implementation and reporting mechanisms Support in communications and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. Knowledge Management and Communication: • Drafting knowledge products and working documents. • Perform analytical research of technical material related to the themes of SDG Localization and support the production of normative publications, strategic programme/project planning • Assisting with the creation of data visualization components related to programme’s monitoring and performance. • Support in communications and social media dissemination. • Support drafting of material and or stories for external and internal audiences. Task Opportunities: • Gain insightful experience and knowledge of the United Nations and UN-Habitat’s mandates and work with respect to Member States demands and requests. • Deepen understanding of technical issues involving SDG Localization, multilevel governance, urban development, social inclusion, sustainable municipal finance, urban transformation in cities, etc. • Work in a multi-cultural environment of professionals. Qualifications: • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Be computer literate in standard software applications, e.g. Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, etc). Knowledge of GIS software is an advantage. • Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter; • Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
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: relevant coursework in Urban planning, Architecture, Social Science, Sustainable Development International Relations, Project Management, or related fields. 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. Be computer literate in standard software applications, e.g. Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, etc) is required. Knowledge of GIS software is desired and an advantage. Please explain how you could meet this desired criterion using examples. Experience in project development and implementation is desired. Please explain how you could meet this desired criterion using examples.
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.