Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is a prominent organization established by the UN General Assembly to promote sustainable urban development. Founded to address the challenges of urbanization, UN-Habitat operates globally, with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and a Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The organization has been active in Colombia since 2003, focusing on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11, which emphasizes the importance of sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat collaborates with various stakeholders, including national and territorial governments, social and academic actors, to design and implement effective urban policies and planning instruments. The organization aims to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty through inclusive and resilient urban development, leveraging best practices and knowledge from around the world.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position at UN-Habitat is designed to provide comprehensive administrative support to the Andean Countries HUB, which is dedicated to promoting sustainable urban development in Colombia. The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Administrative and Financial Specialist and the Regional Director and Coordinator for Andean Countries. The role involves assisting in the daily operations of multiple projects, which includes organizing meetings, preparing agendas, drafting minutes, and following up on administrative actions. The intern will also be responsible for preparing and organizing documentation related to project activities and proposals, as well as drafting formal communications, reports, and presentation materials. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the workings of an international organization while contributing to significant urban development initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing administrative support for the implementation and daily operations of various projects within the Andean Countries HUB.
• Organizing meetings by scheduling, preparing agendas, drafting minutes, and ensuring follow-up on administrative actions.
• Assisting in the preparation and organization of administrative documentation related to project activities and proposals.
• Drafting and formatting formal administrative communications, reports, and presentation materials.
• Facilitating internal coordination and information flow by providing administrative assistance to the HUB Coordination and project teams.
• Preparing terms of reference (ToRs) for the recruitment of interns, consultants, and personnel, and supporting related administrative processes.
• Organizing travel agendas and assisting with administrative requirements related to official travel.
• Managing administrative processes related to consultant contracts, payments, travel-related expenses, and other routine contractual and financial tasks.
• Maintaining organized records of correspondence sent and received. 1
• Supporting the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date administrative and financial records related to personnel contracts, purchase orders, and payments.

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 enrolled 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 personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter are essential. Candidates should also possess the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions and views.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being a student in the final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or being enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program, or having completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program. Preferred areas of study include Business Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Politics, or related fields. While no previous work experience is necessary, experience in project management cycles will be positively valued, and prior experience with the United Nations or other international cooperation organizations is desirable.

Experience:
While applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, it is beneficial for candidates to have experience related to international cooperation, urban development, or climate change. If candidates have participated in projects of this nature, they are encouraged to describe their experiences briefly in their application. This internship is particularly suited for those who have a strong academic background in relevant fields and a keen interest in the workings of international organizations.

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

Additional Notes:
Interns at UN-Habitat are not financially remunerated, 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 Colombia may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training.