Intern - Water and Sanitation Unit

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. UN-Habitat serves as the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. The organization collaborates with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities, aiming to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty through urbanization as a transformative force. UN-Habitat operates in multiple countries and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to addressing urban challenges and promoting sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position within the Water and Sanitation Unit of the Urban Basic Services Section (UBSS) at UN-Habitat is designed for individuals who are passionate about improving access to water and sanitation. The intern will work closely with the water and sanitation team to support ongoing projects, contribute to progress reports, and engage in research and analysis of water and sanitation issues. The role involves preparing written outputs, participating in field missions, and assisting in the planning of webinars and workshops. The intern will also support proposal writing and resource mobilization efforts for water and sanitation initiatives. This position provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a critical area of sustainable development while contributing to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Supporting the implementation of ongoing water and sanitation projects in collaboration with the team.
• Reviewing and contributing to progress reports on these projects.
• Conducting desk research and analysis on water and sanitation issues, identifying challenges such as climate change and gender parity, and proposing corrective actions.
• Preparing various written outputs, including background papers, analyses, sections of reports, and inputs for publications.
• Participating in field missions to monitor and report on project progress.
• Assisting in the planning of online webinars and face-to-face workshops, including document preparation and speaker invitations.
• Supporting proposal writing and resource mobilization for water and sanitation projects.
• Performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application: 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, 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 commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. Candidates should also have the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs.

Educational Background:
The preferred educational background for this internship includes fields closely related to water and sanitation, such as Sustainable Development, Civil/Water/Sanitation/Public Health Engineering, Urban Infrastructure Planning, Environmental Studies, or Education. Applicants should be either students in their final year of a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program or have completed such programs. Knowledge of water and sanitation is required, and candidates must be computer literate in standard software applications.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship, applicants should have a field of study that closely relates to the internship's focus. This position is suitable for students or recent graduates who are eager to gain practical experience in the field of water and sanitation within the context of sustainable urban development.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN language, such as French, is desirable and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid and requires full-time commitment. Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Those 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. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.