Intern, Urban Economics

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership for the promotion of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Headquartered in Brussels, and supported by a Secretariat, it is a unique partnership with diverse members – local authorities, national governments, international non-governmental organisations, foundations and multi-lateral organisations – which have come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development. Cities Alliance is a global leader, with a strong track record in grant making, that supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Its overall objectives are to support cities in providing effective local government, an active citizenship and a growing economy characterised by both public and private investment. Members promote longer-term and integrated work programmes, while actively promoting gender equality throughout all activities.

Cities Alliance seeks a qualified, well-motivated intern for an initial period of six months. The internship will be located at the Offices of the Cities Alliance Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium. The selected candidate will work within the Programme Unit, supporting the Joint Work Programme (JWP) for Equitable Economic Growth in Cities, and reporting to a Senior Urban Specialist.

The JWP works at the global and local level to generate knowledge, tools and case studies on how to foster equitable economic growth in rapidly urbanising cities. It works with local governments, city stakeholders and development partners to produce global knowledge, facilitate policy dialogues and support city-level diagnostics and policy recommendations to respond to the challenges of equitable economic growth in cities. Crucial to supporting equitable economic growth in cities is the way and extent to which local governments liaise and interact with local formal and informal businesses. Against this background, the JWP has set out to increase its engagement with private sector entities and their local, national and global interest representations. The intern will contribute to these endeavours directly, through providing analytical as well as organisational support. 

Education:

• All applicants must be enrolled in a university degree program such as Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent), or have graduated from such studies within three years prior to the application date of the internship. Candidates enrolled, or graduated with Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) will be preferred. 
• Area of study and interest should be preferably one of the following: Economics, Political Science, Geography, Social Sciences or a related field 

• Fluent in English both writing and speaking. Basic Knowledge of French is an asset;
• Knowledge of other UN languages will be considered as advantage;

Additional: Qualified female applicants are especially encouraged to apply.