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), created in 2009, is an initiative led by 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 to scale up Water Operator’s Partnerships (WOPs) and improve service providers' capabilities.

Job Overview:
The internship at UN-Habitat offers a vibrant learning environment where candidates will engage with current 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. Daily responsibilities will vary based on the intern's background and the needs of the substantive area they are placed in. A tailored work plan will be developed to guide the intern's focus on thematic and operational areas of GWOPA, including project planning, implementation, and reporting, knowledge management, and support for global outreach events. Interns will have the opportunity to contribute to significant projects and initiatives that aim to enhance the performance of water and sanitation services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be involved in a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: assisting in the preparation of draft concept papers, background documents, and position papers; developing project concept notes and documents for resource mobilization; managing and analyzing data; conducting research on relevant topics related to water and sanitation; assisting with communication and information management; managing websites and drafting newsletters; preparing for and following up on events and workshops; and supporting the administration, budgeting, and financial management aspects of program management. Specific projects may include supporting the 6th session of the Global WOP Congress, facilitating participation in COP30, and organizing the EU Enablers meeting. Interns may also undertake other assignments as required for the development and implementation of GWOPA's work program.

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. Candidates should be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite) and demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, along with a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. Additionally, applicants should have the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions.

Educational Background:
Preferred areas of study include Water and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Urban Development, Urban Planning, Urban Environment, Communications/Journalism, Business/Accounting, and Development Studies. Applicants should be computer literate in standard software applications, and skills in design software are desirable. Candidates applying for the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, but a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Applicants 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 professional work experience is not required for this internship, experience in project coordination, particularly related to event planning or knowledge management, is desirable. Candidates should describe any relevant experience they have in supporting the organization of conferences, workshops, or multi-stakeholder events, highlighting their specific roles, tasks, and any tools or methods utilized. Familiarity with issues related to water, sanitation, climate change, or urban development is also preferred, and candidates should explain their interest or exposure to these themes and how they align with GWOPA's mission and activities.

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.

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 the country where the internship is undertaken 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.