Intern - Climate Change - Urban Lab at UN-Habitat

Responsibilities

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 Program Management Officer, the intern will:
• Support the development of climate resilience and vulnerability analysis and diagnosis using Geographic Information systems and statistical information (climate-risk hotpots, green and blue infrastructure, watersheds, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), etc.) for projects developed in the Urban Lab in Mexico and Nairobi.
• Support the assessment of ecosystem services of Nature-based Solutions in urban areas, including the implementation of indicators to measure the effectiveness and capacity of NbS to increase climate resilience of urban areas.
• Assist in the development of climate-related plans, solutions, strategies, recommendations, actions, and projects to support UN-Habitat interventions at the national and local level, as well as in participatory workshops, trainings, presentations, and charrettes.
• Support the elaboration of concept notes and project proposals, as well as normative and technical documents related to urban planning and climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as climate action financing.
• Conduct research and produce actionable outputs in climate action planning and design, urban regeneration, and climate innovation in urban planning and housing according to professional experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Task Opportunities:

• Familiarizing oneself with the United Nations;
• Familiarizing oneself with urban planning, urban environmental issues and urban development;
• Conduct research and implement projects in state-of-the-art areas of urban planning such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, digital technologies for sustainable urban development, urban resilience.
• Assisting in the development of content and methodology on urban planning and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

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:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
• Have graduated with Bachelor's degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent
• Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office, Adobe).
• 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 areas of studies:

• Environmental Studies, Climate Change Sciences, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Urban Economy, Architecture, GIS, Geography.