Urban Finance & Economy Intern

Hybrid, Nairobi, Kenya

6 months

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. About the Urban Practices Branch (UPB) The Urban Practices Branch (UPB) is the thematic department at UN-Habitat with a mandate to support national and local government in urban planning, design and management related areas of work, such as national urban policies, metropolitan planning, strategic and detailed planning, urban-rural linkages, urban regeneration, public space, urban planning and innovation and urban planning and climate change. About the Planning and Finance Section (PFS) The Planning and Finance Section (PFS) is responsible for coordinating the Agency’s substantive, normative and operational work on various dimensions of planning and finance. The Section aims to develop, document, pilot/test and disseminate planning policies, norms, standards, tools, methodologies, regulatory frameworks, operating procedures and practices at global, regional, national and sub-national levels in support of (a) urban and territorial planning at all scales including urban design and public space design; (b) urban finance (municipal finance and urban development/projects finance); and (c) local economic development. About the Urban Finance & Economy Unit The Urban Finance & Economy Unit focuses on enhancing local governments’ ability to provide necessary infrastructure and urban services by providing strategic recommendations, technical assistance, and capacity building to improve financial management and access to external finance. In addition, the unit supports local government strategies to enhance economic development. Under the overall supervision of the Planning Finance Section & the Urban Finance & Economy Coordinator, the intern will be responsible for the following duties: Responsibilities • Supporting the development of the technical and normative outputs of PFS by assisting in gathering data, analyzing, contributing to preparation of reports and technical documents, preparation of presentations and other dissemination materials. • Support capacity building on a variety of finance, governance and economy themes, including in francophone country contexts. • Assist in the development of content and methodology on Local Finance, Local Governance and Local Economic Development. Specific Duties: • Support PFS in carrying out research on Urban Finance, Local Governance and Local Economic Development issues and trends. • Support PFS in preparing communication and fundraising materials in the space of Urban Finance, Local Governance and Local Economic Development. This can include Project Proposals and/or PowerPoint Presentations. • Support PFS in coordinating, organizing, preparing and delivering capacity building and knowledge-sharing initiatives and events with stakeholders in the space of on Urban Finance, Local Governance and Local Economic Development. • Assist in development of guidelines and policies, drafting and commenting on documents, comment revision and producing information materials and supporting visuals. • Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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 Suite). Have demonstrated a 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 a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. Preferred areas of study: Public Finance, Local Finance, Economic Development, Local Economic Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Experience in the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data is desirable. In particular, please describe any relevant experience in fiscal, financial, economic, or local government data analysis. Experience in stakeholder engagement, advocacy, project proposal development, and/or coordinating workshops or events, especially with local governments, public institutions, or development partners is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Do you have any previous UN internship experience? If yes, please indicate the UN entity and the specific dates.

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

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.