Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is an organization established by the UN General Assembly with the mission to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It serves as the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat collaborates with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. The organization aims to leverage urbanization as a transformative force to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty. The UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa (ROAF) specifically supports African countries in developing human settlements projects to tackle the rapid urbanization challenges faced by the continent and to achieve sustainable development. The portfolio of UN-Habitat in West Africa has seen significant growth, expanding from 6 to 12 active country programs between 2020 and 2025, indicating a robust commitment to addressing urban challenges in the region.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is located within the Sub-Regional Office for West Africa in Dakar, Senegal, and involves supporting the implementation of UN-Habitat's activities in the West Africa region. The intern will report to the Senior Human Settlements Officer (SHSO) overseeing West Africa and will be expected to familiarize themselves with UN-Habitat's mandate and tools. The role includes supporting GIS mapping and spatial analysis, developing concept notes and project documents for resource mobilization, and assisting country offices in monitoring and reporting to the Regional Office for Africa and headquarters. The intern will also contribute to enhancing the communication and visibility of UN-Habitat's activities in West Africa, and perform various administrative tasks such as note-taking, drafting minutes, providing translations, preparing presentations, and attending meetings. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage with critical urban development issues and contribute to meaningful projects aimed at improving human settlements in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for several key tasks under the supervision of the Senior Human Settlements Officer. These include:

• Familiarizing themselves with UN-Habitat's mandate and the tools developed for urban planning and development.
• Supporting GIS mapping and spatial analysis to assist in urban planning efforts.
• Assisting in the development of concept notes and project documents aimed at resource mobilization for various initiatives in West Africa.
• Supporting country offices in West Africa with monitoring and reporting activities to ensure alignment with the goals of the Regional Office for Africa and headquarters.
• Contributing to the communication and visibility of UN-Habitat's activities, ensuring that the work being done is effectively shared with stakeholders and the public.
• Performing additional tasks as needed, which may include note-taking during meetings, drafting minutes, providing translations, preparing PowerPoint presentations, and attending relevant meetings to gain insights into the workings of UN-Habitat.

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 or Master's degree in Urban Planning, Town Planning, Architecture, Geography, or any other related field. Applicants must be either students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs. Knowledge in the thematic area of urban development is required, and proficiency in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) using tools such as QGIS and ArcGIS for mapping and spatial analysis is desirable.

Experience:
While applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, it is essential that their field of study is closely related to the type of internship they are applying for. Candidates should ideally have some familiarity with urban development themes and demonstrate a commitment to the principles and work of the United Nations. Experience in GIS and spatial analysis will be an advantage, but is not mandatory.

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

Additional Notes:
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 Senegal may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization before starting the internship. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements prior to 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, and does not require information regarding applicants' bank accounts.