Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) was established by the UN General Assembly 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, aiming to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty through positive urbanization. The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), initiated in 2009, is a key initiative under UN-Habitat that supports water and sanitation operators through peer support partnerships, enhancing their capacity and performance to provide better services in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The GWOPA Secretariat, currently hosted by the Government of Germany, translates GWOPA’s mandate into actionable strategies and programs, implementing annual work plans in collaboration with partners to scale up Water Operator’s Partnerships (WOPs) and improve service delivery.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position at UN-Habitat offers a vibrant learning environment where candidates will engage with pressing issues faced by water and sanitation operators globally. Interns will explore the connections between capacity development, partnerships, and service improvements, particularly in low-income urban settings. The daily responsibilities of the intern will be tailored based on their background and the needs of the GWOPA team. Interns will report directly to a professional staff member of GWOPA and work under the overall supervision of the Officer-in-Charge. This role is designed to provide hands-on experience in various thematic and operational areas of GWOPA, allowing interns to contribute meaningfully to the organization's mission.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will focus on several key areas, including: collaborating with the GWOPA team to conceptualize and create engaging multimedia content such as videos, podcasts, infographics, flyers, and brochures; drafting and editing content for public information materials, including social media posts, newsletters, and web stories; assisting in the preparation and implementation of outreach activities and workshops; supporting knowledge development, documentation, and management of the UN-Habitat Urban Basic Services Communities of Practice; managing content for the GWOPA website and other digital tools; providing online community support and facilitating platform transfers; and undertaking additional assignments as required for the development and implementation of GWOPA's work program, aligned with the intern's interests and experience.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application: be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); be in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or 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 have 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 areas of study for applicants include Water and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Urban Development, Urban Planning, Urban Environment, Public Relations, Communications Studies, Media and Communications, Journalism, International Relations, and Development Studies. While applicants are not required to have professional work experience, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master's, or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs.

Experience:
While applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have prior professional work experience, they must have a field of study that closely relates to the internship they are applying for. This means that relevant academic experience or coursework is essential to ensure that the intern can effectively contribute to the GWOPA's objectives and tasks.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship position, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN language is considered desirable, enhancing the intern's ability to communicate within the diverse UN environment.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, meaning that 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 Germany 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, and does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.