Intern - Governance and Membership

Hybrid,Bonn, Germany

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. The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) helps water and sanitation operators help one another. Led by UN-Habitat, it is an international network created in 2009 to support operators through Water Operator’s Partnerships (WOPs) – not-for-profit peer support partnerships between water and sanitation operators aimed at enhancing their capacity and performance to provide a better service to more people in support of the SDGs. The GWOPA Secretariat translates GWOPA’s mandate into strategies and programs. It implements, through collaboration with a range of partners, annual alliance work plans to help ensure WOPs are scaled up and are contributing to water and sanitation service providers’ improved capacity and performance. The GWOPA Secretariat is currently hosted by the Government of Germany. The internship offers an exciting and vibrant learning environment where candidates will work on current issues facing water and sanitation operators’ worldwide and explore linkages between capacity development, partnership and service improvements, especially in low-income urban settings. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and the needs of the substantive area where the intern is placed. A tailored work plan will be developed. The intern will report directly to one professional staff of GWOPA and work under the overall supervision of the Officer-in-Charge. Responsibilities Support GWOPA’s membership campaign • Assisting in GWOPA’s membership campaign (vetting of applications, and related communications material) • Processing members’ applications • Managing membership database • Mapping membership gaps and identification of potential new members and outreach. • Drafting or reviewing communications and advocacy material • Drafting surveys on members´ needs and feedback on GWOPA´s support Support operationalization of GWOPA’s governance framework • Liaising with national and regional utilities associations worldwide • Following up on agreements and workplans with WOP platforms • Drafting guidance material on operationalising WOP platforms • Contributing to governance-related communication efforts • Contributing to Steering Committee and General Assembly Management, including organization of electronic voting for steering committee elections Additional; duties may include, but are not limited to: • Assisting in the preparation of concept papers, background documents, position papers guidance material, communications or project proposal • Data management and analysis • Research on topics related to water and sanitation • Assisting with communication and information management • Assisting with the management of websites and drafting of newsletters. • Assisting in the preparation, implementation and follow-up of events and workshops • Undertaking other assignments as required for the development and implementation of the work programme of GWOPA.

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: Studies in Water and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Urban Development, Urban Planning, Urban Environment, Public Relations, Communications Studies, Media and Communications, Journalism, International Relations, and Development Studies are preferred. 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.

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.