Intern - Urban Planning

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is an agency of the United Nations established to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It was mandated by the UN General Assembly and 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. UN-Habitat operates globally, working in numerous countries to address urbanization challenges and promote effective urban planning.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position within the Urban Lab of UN-Habitat focuses on supporting urban planning and spatial analysis efforts. The intern will work closely with the Urban Lab Programme Management Managers and will be involved in various tasks that include technical support for land use and strategic plans, drafting spatial plans, and creating diagnostic reports. The role emphasizes visual communication and requires the intern to assist in research and data analysis related to urban planning projects. The intern will also be responsible for developing graphic materials and reports, drafting technical papers, and ensuring that deliverables align with UN-Habitat's tools and frameworks. Collaboration with team members and local partners is essential to support the implementation of the unit's work programmes, making this position a vital part of UN-Habitat's mission to promote sustainable urban development.

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

• Assisting in urban planning and spatial analysis, focusing on visual communication.
• Providing technical support for the development of land use and strategic plans, including drafting spatial plans and technical drawings.
• Conducting desk and field research on urban planning topics, supporting data collection, and performing qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Inserting and manipulating data in GIS systems to support ongoing research workstreams.
• Developing graphic materials, reports, and publications to communicate findings effectively.
• Drafting and editing technical papers, reports, and concept notes, as well as preparing presentations and briefing materials for stakeholders.
• Ensuring coherence of deliverables with UN-Habitat tools and frameworks and supporting knowledge transfer and capacity-building activities.
• Collaborating with team members to undertake additional assignments as necessary to support the unit's work programmes.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent).
• Have graduated with a Bachelor's degree, Master's, PhD, or equivalent. Additionally, applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite. A keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a 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.

Educational Background:
The preferred areas of study for this internship include Urban Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Geography, or any related field that is relevant to sustainable urban development. Applicants must be students in their final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. Programme, or have completed such programmes. Evidence of academic qualifications must be provided during the application process.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for applicants to the UN Internship Programme, candidates should have a field of study closely related to the internship they are applying for. Experience working in urban planning using GIS is required, along with knowledge of tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign, as well as CAD software for spatial data management. This experience will be critical in fulfilling the responsibilities of the internship effectively.

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 desirable and may enhance the 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 Kenya 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.