Internship at UN-Habitat

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) was established by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It has been operational for over forty-five years and serves as the focal point for urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat collaborates with national governments, local authorities, and various partners to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) was established in 1997 in Fukuoka, Japan, and oversees 15 country offices across 42 countries in the region, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, India, Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. UN-Habitat's Strategic Plan (2020-2025) focuses on reducing spatial inequality and poverty, enhancing shared prosperity, strengthening climate action, and improving urban environments, as well as effective urban crisis prevention and response.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position at UN-Habitat is designed to provide interns with a vibrant learning environment where they can engage in various thematic and operational areas related to urban development and human settlements. Interns will work under the supervision of a UN-Habitat staff member and will be involved in supporting country-level and sub-regional programs, project monitoring, reporting, evaluation, research, publications, and communication. The internship is a full-time, unpaid assignment, requiring interns to manage their own travel, visas, and insurance. Interns will work five days a week (35 hours) and will gain hands-on experience in the implementation of UN-Habitat's strategic objectives while contributing to the development and implementation of work programs in the region. The role is particularly suited for individuals who are passionate about sustainable urban development and are eager to learn about the intersection of local and international efforts in this field.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: assisting in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of regional and country-level projects; supporting inter-agency collaboration and coordination between country teams; assisting with the administration, budgeting, and management of ongoing projects; tracking funding calls and supporting resource mobilization efforts; managing information and knowledge; preparing concept papers, project documents, and publications; drafting web stories and managing website content; assisting in the organization and follow-up of meetings and workshops; and undertaking other assignments as required to support the work program of ROAP. The specific duties will depend on the intern's background and the needs of the unit they are placed in.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application: be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), be in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level), or have graduated with a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree. Candidates should be computer literate in standard software applications, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite. A keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter are essential. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing tolerance and understanding of differing opinions.

Educational Background:
The preferred areas of study for applicants include Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Development, Planning, Geography, Geospatial Urban Information Sciences, Migration and Displacement, Humanitarian Management, Urban Environment, Environmental Management, Waste Management, Ecology, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Civil Engineering, Urban Economics, Land Administration, Development Studies, Smart City initiatives, Affordable Housing, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Governance, Technology Governance, Project Cycle Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Communications, Journalism, and related fields. Applicants are required to be students in their final year of a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD program or have completed such programs.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship, applicants should have a field of study closely related to the internship type they are applying for. The internship is open to students who are in their final year of their first university degree or higher, or who have recently graduated. Good communication skills, including virtual meeting settings and document presentation, are necessary, as well as good research skills in sustainable urban development or climate change.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship position. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and candidates should be aware that they will need to provide an official certificate of their academic status later in the application process.