Urban Development and Housing Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is a global organization established by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It operates in over 90 countries and focuses on urbanization and human settlement matters. UN-Habitat aims to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities, addressing issues such as inequality, discrimination, and poverty. In Cameroon, UN-Habitat has developed a strategy to contribute to better coordinated ecological urbanization, focusing on controlled urbanization, habitat, climate change, and community resilience. The organization has been actively engaged in various initiatives, including the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) and the implementation of Cameroon’s National Urban Policy, to support sustainable urban development and improve housing and infrastructure.

Job Overview:
The Urban Development and Housing Intern will be based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, for a period of six months. This internship is a full-time, non-paid position that emphasizes the valuable experience it offers to the intern. The intern will work under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer responsible for the Central Africa Sub Regional Office. The role involves assisting in identifying community opportunities, supporting resource mobilization, preparing meetings with partners and donors, developing communication tools, and engaging in the implementation of UN-Habitat’s projects. The intern will also track key indicators, assist in fieldwork, contribute to policy research, and support capacity-building activities, among other responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will perform a variety of tasks, including:

• Identifying opportunities within communities and translating challenges into project concepts.
• Supporting resource mobilization efforts.
• Preparing meetings with potential partners and donors, including drafting briefing notes and presentations.
• Developing communication and outreach tools and ensuring their dissemination.
• Supporting the implementation of UN-Habitat’s portfolio and engagement within UN Cooperation Frameworks.
• Tracking key indicators and compiling data.
• Assisting in preparing layouts, engineering-related calculations, design drawings, and specifications for urban projects.
• Supporting fieldwork related to urban development and housing projects.
• Collecting, processing, and integrating data for analysis. 1
• Contributing to policy research and drafting reports. 1
• Supporting capacity-building activities and stakeholder engagement initiatives. 1
• Producing knowledge products and best practice reports. 1
• Developing communication materials, including digital content and newsletters. 1
• Assisting with website and social media engagement. 1
• Providing administrative and logistical support for events and workshops. 1
• Performing miscellaneous assignments as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (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, applicants should be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite) and have a keen interest in the work of the United Nations. They should demonstrate the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs.

Educational Background:
The preferred areas of study for applicants include Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Community Mobilization, Public Health, and Geography. Applicants must be a student in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. Programme. It is essential that the field of study is closely related to the internship type being applied for.

Experience:
Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, it is necessary that their field of study is closely related to the internship position. The intern will be responsible for organizing workshops, which requires the ability to make PowerPoint presentations during meetings and workshops.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written French is required for this internship position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable, which would enhance the intern's ability to communicate effectively with a broader range of stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and they are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Cameroon 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.