Policy and Strategy Formulation Intern

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Policy and Strategy Formulation Intern
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UN-Habitat, which is the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. Established by the UN General Assembly, UN-Habitat is dedicated to promoting socially and environmentally sustainable urban development. Its mission is to provide adequate and affordable housing for all, working collaboratively with various stakeholders including governments, civil society, and the private sector. The organization operates globally, focusing on sustainable urban development and housing sector reforms, with a particular emphasis on the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN-Habitat has a significant presence in multiple countries, engaging in various projects aimed at improving urban living conditions and addressing issues such as slum upgrading and urban poverty.

Job Overview:
The Policy and Strategy Formulation Intern will work under the guidance of the Programme Officer within the Land Housing and Shelter Section of UN-Habitat. The intern's primary role will involve supporting research and analysis related to informal settlements and slums in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. This position is crucial for assisting in the socio-economic analysis and identifying trends that impact urban development in the region. The intern will contribute to the production of analytical content, including consolidating inputs and writing chapters for a regional strategy. The role also includes coordinating with the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and facilitating meetings and workshops. Overall, the intern will play a vital role in the strategy design process, which encompasses policy development, implementation, and evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including: conducting research to analyze issues related to informal settlements and slums in the SADC region; assisting in socio-economic analysis and trend identification; producing analytical content and writing chapters for the regional strategy; coordinating the formulation of the strategy by preparing drafts and inputs; supporting the strategy design process, including agenda building, policy development, and evaluation; facilitating correspondence and organizing meetings for the Technical Advisory Group (TAG); and assisting with any other research or policy-related tasks as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: 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 Microsoft Office Suite. A demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and a commitment to its ideals are essential. Candidates should also possess the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs.

Educational Background:
The preferred areas of study for applicants include urban development, environmental science, economics, sustainable development, global development, social or political sciences, international relations, or any related field. Candidates who are enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program or the final academic year of a first university degree program in relevant fields such as sustainable urban development, urban planning, urban economics, urban management, urban policy and governance, or development planning are encouraged to apply.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position, applicants should have a field of study closely related to the internship. Proficiency in socio-economic research and policy analysis related to slums and informal settlements is necessary. Candidates should also have a good understanding of the urban development context in Southern Africa (SADC) and demonstrate strong technical report drafting skills, including the ability to produce research and policy briefs, position papers, and thematic articles.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship position. Knowledge of another UN language, such as French, is desirable but not mandatory. Given that English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, proficiency in these languages will enhance the intern's ability to communicate effectively within the organization.

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 Kenya may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. Additionally, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair selection process.