INTERN - SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, URBANIZATION [Temporary]

The Urbanization Section within the Social Development Policy Division (SDPD) is offering an internship for a maximum duration of six months. The Internship is located in the Urbanization Section of SDPD at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa. Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

The UNECA is mandated to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. To find out more about UNECA, please go to www.uneca.org.

The SDPD consist of three sections, namely: Employment and Social Protection Section; Population and Youth Section and Urbanization Section and one center, African Centre for Gender. Urbanization Section works towards the planning and management aspects of cities and human settlements; the nexus between urbanization and social issues such as migration, poverty, education and health; sustainable dimensions such as the environment, water, land and; economic dimensions such as infrastructure, industrial growth, urban transport and financing for housing.

The focus of this internship will be to assist the Urbanization Section in its work on the economic, social and sustainable dimensions of urbanization.

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Division, and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Urbanization Section and within delegated authority, the incumbent will carry out the following functions:

Assist with compiling information and undertake research on policy issues in relation to the economic, social and sustainable dimensions of urbanization, such as the linkages of urbanization and industrialization; energy; climate change; trade; gender; statistics, innovation; urban and rural linkages and; inclusive cities.

Support data collection activities
Undertake desk review of bibliographies for the section's reports and peer review documents
Assist with organizing and convening meetings, including attending to all relevant preparations
Perform other duties as might be 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 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

Planning & Organizing:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
Uses time efficiently

To qualify for an internship under the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

1) Applications must meet one of the following educational 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 programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or (c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation;
2) Be computer literate in standard software applications;
3) Have a demonstrated and keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
4) Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the United Nations Internship Programme.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for the United Nations Internship Programme. Knowledge of another United Nations language will be considered an asset.

Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

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.

A completed online application (including Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include: your Degree programme (what are you currently studying?); your Graduation date (when will you or when did you graduate from the programme?); any IT skills or software applications that you are proficient in; an explanation as to why you would be the best candidate for this internship; an explanation as to why you are interested in the United Nations Internship Programme. In your Personal History Profile, please list all past work experience, your IT skills, and three references.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. Please note that this is an on-going advertisement during 2018. Successful candidates may be contacted at any time during the posting period or shortly thereafter.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

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.