The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all (www.unhabitat.org).The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) works in over 90 countries to advance the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the local level in accordance with the commitments and principles set out in the New Urban Agenda (NUA).
This internship position is located in the Coordination Office of the Regional Programme Division (CO/RPD) at Headquarter of UN-Habitat in Nairobi, Kenya. The CO/RPD serves as the coordination hub of planning, implementation and monitoring of regional programmes and country activities.
Under the CO/RPD, UN-Habitat collaborates with the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on a publication, Shanghai Manual: A Guide For Sustainable Urban Development In The 21st Century. Established in 2011, the Shanghai Manual was developed following the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China. The Manual serves as an important knowledge product and tool to support mayors, urban managers and urban practitioners in achieving sustainable urban development. In particular, the ideas and spirit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and New Urban Agenda (NUA) have been integrated into the Shanghai Manual, with a focus on inclusive, equitable, innovative, creative, sustainable, and resilient cities. Highlighting global best practices, the Manual provides practical solutions and tools to address contemporary challenges facing cities around the world.
The main function of this internship is to assist the development of the Shanghai Manual 2023 annual report, including providing support to the coordination between the UN-Habitat team and its partners in Shanghai, assisting the case studies selection process, collecting and organizing technical input for the case studies, and the organization of meetings and events related to the work and promotion of Shanghai Manual, as well as supporting relevant cooperation activities cooperated with Chinese Partners.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Regional Programmes Division internship is for 6 (six) months.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern.
The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.
Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.
Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background; the intern's assigned office as well as the internship period.
Under the supervision of the Inter-Regional Advisor of the Regional Programme Division (RPD), the intern will:
- Perform desktop research and technical support for the development of the Shanghai Manual 2023 Annual Report.
- Assist in conducting research on urban best practices and identifying suitable cases for the Report, including collecting and analyzing data and literature.
- Collect and sort the case recommendations and feedback on the recommended cases.
- Assist in organizing and participating in meetings, workshops, seminars, and other events and processes related to work under the Shanghai Manual and Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award),
- Liaise with internal experts and external partners to facilitate the information exchange and knowledge management during the development of the Report.
- support international cooperation activities collaborated with relevant donors, partners and other stakeholders.
- Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with a final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
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 Bachelor's degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent
Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office).
Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter;
Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes the willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
Preferred areas of studies:
Urban Development/Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, public relations, economics, International Relations, or any other related field.
No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
Academic knowledge of urban development, spatial/urban planning and/or social Sciences is desirable.
Knowledge of urban best practices is desirable.
Computer literacy in standard software applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Proficiency in Chinese is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Your application for this internship must include:
1. A completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Cover Note must include:
- Title of the degree you are currently pursuing
- Graduation Date
- IT skills and programmes you are proficient in
- Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, ensure to include all past work experience (if any).
2. Proof of enrolment from current University (if not graduated).
3. A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).
Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
“In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship".
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.