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 sustainable urbanization and improve living conditions in cities and towns. Founded in 1978, UN-Habitat operates in over 90 countries, focusing on issues related to urbanization, human settlements, and sustainable development. The organization aims to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities, working with various partners to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty. UN-Habitat's mission is to provide technical and policy advice, develop normative guidance, and produce tools and methodologies that support urban practices and policies worldwide. The organization is committed to mainstreaming human rights, gender equality, and social inclusion across its programs, ensuring that the needs of vulnerable populations are addressed in urban development initiatives.

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 urban development and sustainability. The intern will play a crucial role in supporting ongoing water and sanitation projects, collaborating closely with the water and sanitation team. The position requires a proactive approach to knowledge management, capacity development, and information dissemination related to water and sanitation issues. The intern will assist in establishing and managing an online knowledge management system, preparing materials for Community of Practice meetings, and supporting logistics for webinars and online activities. This internship provides an excellent opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in a UN environment, 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 but not limited to: supporting the implementation of water and sanitation projects; assisting with reporting and knowledge management; establishing and managing an online knowledge management system; preparing background documents and presentations for Community of Practice meetings; supporting logistics for webinars and online meetings; consolidating inputs and producing meeting minutes and reports; organizing and analyzing information from various sources; conducting mapping and research on relevant topics; facilitating internal and external communication activities; responding to inquiries; revising documents for formatting and design; and performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor. This diverse set of responsibilities will provide the intern with a comprehensive understanding of the operations and challenges faced by the UN in the field of urban basic services.

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 enrolled 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 the Microsoft Office Suite. A keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter are essential. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions and views.

Educational Background:
The preferred areas of study for applicants include Sustainable Development, Civil/Water/Sanitation/Public Health Engineering, Urban Infrastructure Planning, Environmental Studies, Education, or related fields. Candidates should be in their final year of a Bachelor's degree program, or enrolled in a Master's or PhD program, or have completed such programs. Knowledge of urban basic services issues, such as water and sanitation, transport/mobility, urban energy, and solid waste management is required, along with proficiency in standard software applications.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship position, applicants should have a field of study closely related to the internship's focus. This means that candidates should ideally have academic experience or coursework relevant to water and sanitation, urban development, or related areas. The internship is designed for students or recent graduates who are eager to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting and gain valuable experience in the UN system.

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 application. Proficiency in multiple languages can be beneficial in a multicultural work environment like the UN.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid and requires full-time commitment for a duration of six months. 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 before starting the internship. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements prior to accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.