Intern - Land, Housing and Shelter Section

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is a global organization established by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable urbanization. It serves as the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat's mission is to work with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. The organization aims to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty through urbanization, which it views as a transformative force for people and communities. UN-Habitat operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on the long-term goal of ensuring sustainable cities and communities as mandated by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11, which addresses sustainable cities and communities. The organization has developed targets and indicators to monitor progress towards these goals, linking them to other SDGs such as poverty eradication (SDG 1).

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is designed to support the Land, Housing and Shelter Section (LHSS) within the Urban Practices Branch of UN-Habitat. The LHSS is responsible for developing norms and standards in various frameworks, agreements, and guidelines that promote equitable land supply, effective land management, protection against arbitrary eviction, and universal access to adequate housing. The intern will work closely with the Associate Programme Officer and other colleagues in the LHSS to contribute to the development of knowledge products, advocacy campaigns, and communication materials. The internship is full-time and unpaid, lasting for six months, with the possibility of remote work for part of the internship. Interns will work five days a week and will have flexible work hours based on discussions with their supervisors. The role requires a commitment to the ideals of the United Nations and an interest in urbanization and human settlement issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will have a variety of responsibilities under the supervision of the Associate Programme Management Officer. These include designing and formatting knowledge products such as policy briefs, reports, and case studies, ensuring they are visually engaging and clearly presented. The intern will also conceptualize and produce infographics and visual assets that communicate complex data and research findings effectively. Additionally, the intern will design communication materials like flyers, cards, and social media graphics to support advocacy efforts. They will assist in sourcing relevant images for communication purposes and support the design and implementation of land and housing-related advocacy campaigns. The intern will also help manage the Housing Knowledge Platform and other knowledge management platforms, focusing on visual identity and graphic design standards. Organizing events and meetings, providing support during workshops and training sessions, and preparing summaries or reports of discussions will also be part of the intern's duties. The intern may be required to perform other related tasks to support the LHSS work plan and objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent), 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 Ph.D. 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 its ideals are essential. The ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and a willingness to understand differing opinions are also required. Preferred areas of study include Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Visual Arts, Fine Arts, Digital Media, Architecture, or related fields. While professional work experience is not required, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent), or enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs. Proof of enrollment or graduation will be required at a later stage of the application process.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required for this internship, experience in graphic design and communication is desirable. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in the work of the United Nations and urbanization issues, which can be reflected in their academic background or previous internships.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN language, such as French, is considered desirable and may enhance the candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Kenya may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.