Urban Energy Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is a global organization established by the UN General Assembly to promote sustainable urbanization and improve living conditions in cities and communities. UN-Habitat's mission is to foster socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, addressing urbanization challenges and promoting inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments. The organization operates in numerous countries, focusing on urbanization as a transformative force to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty. In Sub-Saharan Africa, UN-Habitat works through its Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) to support member states in managing rapid urbanization and addressing housing and basic service challenges. The agency collaborates with various partners, including private sector organizations, to implement projects aimed at improving access to clean energy and environmental practices in selected African cities.

Job Overview:
The Urban Energy Intern position at UN-Habitat is designed to support the Regional Office for Africa in implementing strategic priorities related to urban energy. The intern will be involved in research focused on energy consumption patterns in informal settlements and peri-urban areas, contributing to the Lighting an African Family (LAAF) Project, which aims to enhance access to clean energy in Africa. The intern will work under the supervision of the Director of the Regional Office for Africa, engaging in various tasks that include developing stakeholder matrices, preparing discussions and webinars, and supporting communication efforts with field and global offices. This role is crucial for advancing the agency's goals of promoting sustainable urbanization and addressing energy challenges in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a range of duties including:

• Conducting research on urban energy, particularly focusing on energy consumption in informal settlements and peri-urban areas.
• Developing a stakeholder matrix to identify key actors in the energy sector across Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Collaborating with country offices to develop project concept notes and facilitate interactions.
• Preparing discussions, webinars, and meetings related to urban energy initiatives.
• Supporting the reporting and communication efforts of the office, liaising with field offices and the global office.
• Undertaking additional duties as assigned by the supervisor to support the overall objectives of the office.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), b. Be in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent), c. Have graduated with a Bachelor's degree, Master's, PhD, or equivalent. Additionally, candidates should be computer literate in standard software applications, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite. A demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and a commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter are essential. Candidates should also possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should be currently enrolled in or have recently graduated from a university program related to urban planning, environmental management, energy, development studies, economics, or a related field. It is preferred that applicants have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies or have graduated within the last six months. Knowledge of new technologies and digital platforms, as well as proficiency in MS Office and Adobe Creative Cloud, is advantageous.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship, applicants should have a field of study closely related to the internship. Experience in analyzing technical datasets and summarizing information into actionable recommendations is desirable. The ability to work collaboratively as a team player with individuals from diverse backgrounds is also essential.

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

Additional Notes:
This internship is a hybrid position based in Nairobi, Kenya, with an expected duration of six months. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and all costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Kenya may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.