Digital Transformation Intern [Temporary]

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.

The digital agenda – the use of digital technology in all sections of society – is growing in importance globally and within the UN system. The High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation reports that the digital transformation has implications for all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their 169 targets. UN-Habitat has reacted strongly to this agenda, making digital technologies and innovation key elements of its 2020 – 2023 Strategic Plan.
UN-Habitat recently launched a digital taskforce to strengthen the organization’s internal coordination of digital related work and to advance the harnessing of digital technologies for sustainable urbanization. The need for a digital transformation strategy to guide the organization’s digitization and digitalization efforts become evident after mapping UN-Habitat digital initiatives in the domains of projects, partnerships, multi-stakeholder networks, capacity-building, knowledge products and tools.
The digital taskforce, with substantive support from the Innovation Unit, Program Development Branch, ICT and Data & Analytics Units, is embarking on a digital transformation strategy development exercise to build the different components of the strategy and the foundations required to fully leverage the potential of digital transformation for sustainable urban development.
The position of the digital transformation intern will be part of the team supporting the taskforce and will provide substantive and secretariat support during the strategy development period.


The ICT Unit / Management, Advisory, and Compliance Services internship is for 3 months with a possibility for extension depending on the needs of the Organization.

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 head of the ICT unit in the Management, Advisory, and Compliance Service Division, the intern will:
- Familiarize with UN-Habitat’s mandate, 2020 – 2023 Strategic Plan, New Urban Agenda, Secretary-General’s roadmap on digital technologies, and Secretary-General’s strategy for new technologies, among other global frameworks.
- Act as the secretariat for UN-Habitat’s digital taskforce and support in the organization of taskforce deliberations, preparation of relevant talking points and capturing session outcomes.
- Design and maintain a knowledge repository of resources on the intersection of digital and urban development.
- Support the team in gathering and synthesizing input from colleagues across the organization and in mapping out key programs and projects that are driving the adoption of digital technologies at UN-Habitat.
- Support the team in organizing and facilitating design sessions to build the different components of the strategy and in the final drafting of the strategy document.
- Support the team in building a roster of digital champions from different parts of the organization and in the development of their terms of reference.
- Support preparation of outputs such as concept notes, background papers, technical papers, and other documentation that may be necessary, and drafts communications related to these outputs.
- Assist in planning and organization of meetings, roundtables and substantive presentations.
- Perform any other tasks as may be assigned from time to time by the team.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Preferred area of Studies:
Master’s degree in fields: Information Technology, MBA, Engineering, or Business Analytics , or Knowledge Management.

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.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in English is required.

Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.

“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.”
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 enrollment 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.

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.