Internship in Urbanism

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) was established by the UN General Assembly to promote sustainable urban development and human settlements. The organization focuses on creating socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, working with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable communities. UN-Habitat operates globally, with a specific emphasis on urbanization as a transformative force to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty. The Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) was established in 2011 in Cairo, Egypt, and currently provides technical cooperation and capacity building for 18 countries across the Arab region, with 12 active country programs. The office promotes and implements policies, programs, and operational projects aimed at achieving sustainable urban development at regional, national, and local levels, responding to requests from governments for technical cooperation services.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is located at the Regional Office for Arab States in Cairo, Egypt, and is designed to support the implementation of UN-Habitat's urbanism-related programs in Arab states and conflict-affected countries. The intern will work under the guidance of the Programme Officer and will be involved in various tasks related to urbanism activities. This includes managing urban-related projects and programs, drafting and monitoring the implementation of activities, preparing relevant contract documents, and reporting progress to the organization and donors as needed. The intern will also assist in developing project documents and resource mobilization efforts, which may involve drafting concept notes, proposals, and communication materials. Participation in relevant events related to urbanism, such as the World Urban Forum (WUF13), will also be part of the responsibilities, including preparation for missions, coordination of sessions, and development of presentations as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for supporting the management of urban-related projects and programs. Specific duties include:

• Drafting and monitoring the implementation of project activities, ensuring timely progress reporting to the organization and donors.
• Assisting in the development of project documents and resource mobilization efforts, including drafting concept notes and proposals.
• Supporting the preparation and participation in relevant urbanism events, such as WUF13, which includes coordinating sessions and preparing presentations.
• Engaging with stakeholders and partners to facilitate the implementation of urbanism-related initiatives.
• Conducting research and analysis on urban development issues to support project objectives.
• Contributing to the overall goals of UN-Habitat by promoting sustainable urban development practices.

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 keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter are essential. Candidates should demonstrate 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 preferred educational background for this internship includes a Bachelor's degree or advanced university degree in fields such as urban planning or development, business management, international relations, political science, or a related area. Applicants must be either students in the final year of their first university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent), enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program, or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program. Related education or research experience in urban planning, business management, international relations, political science, or similar fields is required.

Experience:
Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, related education or research experience in urban planning, business management, international relations, political science, or a related field is necessary. Candidates should possess related technical skills in project or program management, development of project documents, or support for event participation related to urbanism.

Languages:
For this internship position, fluency in both oral and written English and Arabic is required, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN language is considered desirable, which may enhance the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural environment.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Therefore, all costs and arrangements for 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 Egypt 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. Furthermore, the UN does not concern itself with information regarding applicants' bank accounts.