INTERN - Climate Change and Urban Environment [Temporary]

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Human Settlements(UN-Habitat) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing and promoting socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements, development, and the achievement of adequate shelter for all (www.unhabitat.org). For close to forty years, UN-Habitat has been working in human settlements throughout the world, focusing on building a brighter future for villages, towns, and cities of all sizes.
UN-Habitat promotes strengthened climate action in member states with the aim of reducing GHG Emissions Improving Air Quality, and effective adaptation of communities and infrastructure to climate change. As part of its efforts in supporting countries to invest in vulnerable urban communities. UN-Habitat supports countries to mobilize investment from vertical climate funds.

UN-Habitat’s Programme Development Branch (PDB) under the Global Solutions Division is overseeing the Agency portfolio under the Domain of Change: Strengthened Climate Action and Improved urban Environment. In PDB, a Climate Change Team is supporting countries in developing urban climate vulnerability and Risk assessments, climate action plans, and climate projects. Further, PDB is supporting countries integrating climate change in national urban policies and urban issues in national climate policies, plans, and strategies and supports technical cooperation.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Climate Change and Urban Environment, Programme Development Branch, Nairobi, 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 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 general supervision of the Branch Coordinator, reporting to the Programme Management Officer, the intern will:

• Operations:
- Assist in planning and implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation projects, in particular supporting the Flagship programme RISE UP: Resilient Settlement for the Urban Poor and its child projects related to the Nature-Based Solutions, Informality, and Climate Resilience Nexus. Assist in the roll-out of the COP27 presidential initiative SURGe – Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation.
- Support the development of new projects at country, regional or global levels. Support Climate Change and Urban Environment Sub-Programme monitoring and reporting.
• Knowledge management:
- Research on contemporary topics related to cities, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable urbanization, with a view to supporting the production of normative publications and the above operations.
- Review UN-Habitat outputs with a view to extracting and capturing relevant knowledge and experiences, including in the form of technical materials.
- Support partnerships with a wide-ranging group of urban climate change stakeholders. Support UN-Habitat’s preparations for the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP27).
• Communication:
- Support the planning, preparation, and delivery of outreach and public events related to Sub-programme 3, such as speeches and talking points, training events, seminars, and conferences.
- Assist in communications, website, and social media presence. Support drafting of material and/or stories for external and internal audiences.
-Other: Support tasks relevant to the candidate and the Team, as jointly determined.

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) e.g., Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, etc) and Adobe Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, etc.)

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

Preferred areas of study:
Urban Planning, Climate Change, Environmental Science, International Development, Political and International Affairs, Communication or related field of study.

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.

Experience in Urban Planning, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Political Science, and International Affairs, Political and International Affairs, Communication or similar relevant topic is required.

Experience working in a multicultural environment is desirable.

Experience in communication especially updating websites and social media skills is desirable.

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 French or Spanish 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.