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, aiming to leverage urbanization as a transformative force that reduces inequality, discrimination, and poverty. The organization operates globally, with its New York Office reporting to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Executive Director at the UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The New York Office plays a crucial role in supporting executive, program, and partnership functions of UN-Habitat, enhancing its capacity to provide substantive support to the UN General Assembly and inter-governmental bodies.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position at UN-Habitat offers a unique opportunity for individuals to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment focused on urbanization and human settlements. Interns will work under the supervision of the Director of the New York Office and will be involved in various substantive and administrative tasks. The role includes contributing to both in-person and virtual activities, such as webinars and online meetings, and engaging in collaborative research and analysis. Interns will draft and review documents on diverse topics and interact with stakeholders from various sectors and regions. This position is designed to enhance the intern's understanding of the UN's work and its impact on global urbanization issues, while also providing essential support to the office's functions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be responsible for a range of tasks that contribute to the overall functioning of the UN-Habitat New York Office. These responsibilities include:

• Providing general virtual office support, which involves processing correspondence, maintaining online files and records in SharePoint, and taking meeting minutes for events.
• Assisting in the organization of events and training sessions, which includes preparing agendas, co-drafting background materials, and meeting reports, as well as providing technical support during virtual events.
• Supporting research efforts for the preparation of papers and reports related to the office's work by collecting data from multiple resources, reviewing and analyzing this data, and organizing information to identify trends.
• Engaging in stakeholder engagement programs and partnerships, participating in virtual and live UN Headquarters events as appropriate.
• Assisting with outreach efforts, including communications, social media, and website content updates.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this internship, applicants must meet one of the following criteria: 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, applicants 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 exhibit the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being a student in the final year of a first university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent), or being enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program. Alternatively, applicants may have completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program. Preferred areas of study include MBA, urban planning, urban design, social sciences, international relations, and related fields. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of urbanization and human settlements, which are central to UN-Habitat's mission.

Experience:
While applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, it is essential that their field of study closely relates to the internship they are applying for. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in organizing events, logistics of event planning, and coordinating activities among different stakeholder groups. Experience in performing analytical research and drafting reports, presentations, and other written content is highly desirable, as is competency in writing skills, process management, and attention to detail.

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, as it can enhance communication and collaboration within the diverse environment of the UN.

Additional Notes:
This internship is hybrid, based in New York, and is expected to last for 3 months, with the possibility of extension up to 6 months. It is important to note that 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 the country where the internship is undertaken may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Additionally, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.