UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable and resilient towns and cities. It is the focal point agency for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat envisions well-planned, well-governed and efficient cities and towns, with adequate housing, infrastructure and universal access to employment and basic services such as water, energy, and sanitation. The position is located within the Planning, Finance & Economy section, Urban Practices Branch, UN-HABITAT, Nairobi, Kenya. The Urban Practices Branch (UPB) is the tools and methodology production centre of the UN-Habitat that develops normative guidance and cutting-edge tools through communities of urban practices and is the operational level responsible to undertake technical cooperation projects, such as the construction of water and sanitation facilities, shelter, and other work. The Planning, Finance & Economy Section (PFES) is responsible to support urban and territorial planning at all scales including through the development of planning policy, norms and guidelines, urban design and public space design, urban finance (municipal finance and urban development/projects finance), and local economic development. Within the PFES, the Humanitarian and Development workstream aims to utilize Urban and Spatial Planning as a tool by which to bridge the gap between humanitarian and development activities. UN-Habitat headquarters, regional and country offices, and several partners deploy a wide range of planning projects and tools in different countries to bring together diverse solutions to address the commitments within the Global Compact on Refugees, Global Compact for Migration, Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, which include exploring “Alternatives to Camps”, supporting the paradigm shift towards the integration of refugee and host communities in combined programming, and development of sustainable and long-term solutions as part of multi-actor and comprehensive responses to “Leave No One Behind”, ensuring the most vulnerable populations are promoted and protected. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Climate Migration & Mobility internship is for six (6) months. The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.
Responsibilities
Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office as well as the internship period. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Managers of the Planning for Humanitarian-Development Practices Umbrella Programme of the Planning, Finance & Economy Section, the intern will contribute in the following ways; Specific Duties: – Support data collection and conduct research on Climate Migration and Mobility global trends. – Support the development of normative products on the role of Urban Planning and design strategies in responding to Climate Migration and Mobility in different regions, building upon existing UN-Habitat work. – Analyze the risks and solutions for refugee settlements and camps in climate hotspots. – Analyze the risks and solutions for urban areas in climate hotspots. – Assist in the drafting of content for reports, and preparation of presentation materials. – Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor. Task Opportunities: Accessibility – Familiarizing oneself with urban planning and development, data collection and analyses, climate change, climate mobility, migration, humanitarian-development-peace nexus, refugees and displacement response.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of urban design theories, concepts, and approaches. Creativity and ability to conduct a strong analysis of urban form and urban systems. Understanding of urban design contexts and challenges. Ability to develop high-quality graphic materials and reports as well as supporting graphics (report visuals, graphs, charts, etc.). Ability to observe deadlines and achieve set goals. Ability to work and deliver under pressure. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors’ language, tone, style, and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
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, Excel and PowerPoint). 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 studies: Climate Change, Migration Policy, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, or related field that is relevant for sustainable urban development and urban planning and design.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Working proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop; AutoCAD, GIS softwares such as ArcGIS, QGIS, etc. is desirable. Strong research and report writing skills are required. Mapping and graphic representation skills are desirable.
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 official UN language is desirable.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Special Notice
Your application for this internship must include: 1. A completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include: – Title of the degree you are currently pursuing. – Graduation Date. – IT skills and programmes you are proficient in. – Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship. Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, ensure to include all past work experience (if any). 2. Proof of enrollment from current University (if not graduated). 3. A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated). Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
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.