INTERN - SDG LOCALIZATION: URBAN DATA ANALYSIS AND REPORTING [Temporary]

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 (www.unhabitat.org).The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) works in over 90 countries to advance the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the local level in accordance with the commitments and principles set out in the New Urban Agenda. The support provided by UN-Habitat ensures that the innovative characteristics of universality, interconnectedness, and indivisibility of the Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are localized.

The work on SDG localization is guided by a partnership-based territorial approach, and its core principles are to leave no one and no territory behind, multilevel governance, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. These principles are translated into practice through innovation-based and action-oriented initiatives, following UN-Habitat’s corporative three-pronged approach: (i) Global Urban Monitoring Framework; (ii) Voluntary Local Review; (iii) SDG Cities Flagship Programme. Through this integrated approach, UN-Habitat provides support throughout all stages of the SDG localization process: data innovation to strategic planning, policy formulation, capacity development, supporting the delivery of high-impact projects, monitoring, reporting, and certifying exceptional achievements of cities towards the SDGs.
UN-Habitat has also been working to advance SDG localization by providing technical expertise to partners across the globe, leading the development of cutting-edge research, capacitating local and regional governments on SDG localization, and strengthening the voice of local governments and local actors within the leading international and UN-led fora on SDGs.

Within UN-Habitat, located at the Urban Practices Branch, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team is helping the agency in advancing the work on these fronts, leading the corporative narrative of UN-Habitat on SDG localization and providing high-level advocacy support. Moreover, since 2019, the team has assisted local governments across Latin America, Europe, and Asia in developing their Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and enhanced their links with Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). This experience was a crucial learning process to create and consolidate a fully-fledged methodology on VLRs that is now being applied to more than 20 new city cooperation schemes worldwide.

In addition, two projects were launched in the past year focused on: (a) Voluntary local reviews: evidence for greener, resilient, and sustainable urban recovery in Eastern European and Central Asian countries in transition, and (b) Fostering COVID-19 recovery and SDG implementation through local action in Asia-Pacific, Arab and African countries. The objective of the projects is to advance socioeconomic recovery and localization of the SDGs in selected countries and to harness the potential of VLRs for the design of local recovery plans.
This internship aims to support the activities of UN-Habitat and the Urban Practices Branch on advancing the work of local governments and SDG localization and stakeholder understanding of, and capacity for, developing and implementing resilience action plans. The intern will be under the direct supervision of the UN-Habitat, Nairobi, Urban Practices Branch, Technical focal point for Local Governments and SDG Localization.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Nairobi, Urban Practices Branch, internship is for six (6) months.

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.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background, the interns' assigned office as well as the internship period.

Under the direct supervision of the Technical focal point for Local Governments and SDG Localization, the interns will:
- Technically support the rollout and implementation of two global projects on Voluntary Local Reviews and SDG localization, particularly in collecting and analyzing relevant data.
- Participate in the collection, computation, and analysis of Sustainable Development Goal Indicators, New Urban Agenda Indicators and other urban indicators.
- Assist in planning, drafting and reviewing Voluntary Local Reviews and SDG City Development Strategies supported by UN-Habitat.
- Provide support in collecting and analyzing data related to SDGs and VLRs, and their translation into written reports, presentations and policy recommendations.
- Support the technical coordination between UN-Habitat’s work on Voluntary Local Reviews, SDG Cities and the Global Urban Monitoring Framework.
- Create data visualizations for internal and external use.
- Assist in the logistics of meetings organized by the SDG Localization and Local Governments teams and support in reporting.
- Perform other tasks relevant to the candidate and UPB, as jointly determined with the supervisor.

Competencies

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.

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.

Education

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).

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

Preferred areas of study:
Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Architecture, Statistics, Urban Data Science, or other related fields.

Qualifications and Skills Required
Additionally, successful applicants are expected to have demonstrated ability in one or more areas listed below: GIS, SPSS and Stata.
- Knowledge of city or sub-national SDG reporting mechanisms is highly desirable; Familiarity and strong knowledge of GIS (Geographic Information System), SPSS, or other urban data management and advanced analytics tools is an asset.
- Be computer literate in standard software applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Knowledge of data management and analysis applications (e.g., Stata, R-Studio) is an asset.
- Possess analytical skills and experience with urban data management and analysis.
- Possess vital interests in local governance and local development and is self-motivated.
- Possess strong writing skills, experience with academic writing or reporting.
- Ability to work and deliver outputs independently on time, with minimal supervision

Work Experience

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.

Knowledge of city or sub-national SDG reporting mechanisms is desirable.

Familiarity and knowledge of GIS (Geographic Information System), SPSS, or other urban data management and advanced analytics tools is desirable.

Analytical skills and experience with urban data management is required.

Computer literacy in standard software applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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.

“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".

United Nations Considerations

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.

No Fee

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.