Intern - Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) at United Nations

Reporting

Within UN Habitat, the Urban Practices Branch supports governments and local authorities with tested approaches, guidelines, and tools to plan the growth of cities in an inclusive, sustainable, and future-proof way, in tune with social, cultural, economic, and environmental concerns and particularities. The Branch has five areas of work which are closely related:

1. Policy, Legislation and Governance;
2. Urban Basic Services;
3. Land, Housing and Shelter;
4. Planning, Finance and Economic Development, and
5. Human Rights and Social Inclusion.

The work of the Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) focuses on a broader framework through different scales (metropolitan, regional, national, and trans-national). The Section plays a critical role in implementing the Agency’s Strategic Plan, flagship programmes, the relevant Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. The Section works with and in collaboration with other parts of the agency (both at Headquarters and in the field) to support national and local governments and partners. The Section fosters high impact initiatives, programmes and projects that draw from its world-class expertise and knowledge to deliver timely, fit-for-purpose and targeted solutions. The Section serves as the Agency’s focal point and global solutions center of excellence on Urban Policy, Legislation and Governance. The Section conducts activities in knowledge management, tools and frameworks development, capacity building, policy dialogue, and advisory services.

PLGS plays a key role in supporting the delivery of the following 4 (four) intervention areas:

• National Urban Policies from pre-feasibility, diagnostic, development, implementation to monitoring and tracking progress;
• Regional, Metropolitan and City-region studies including in development of corridors, clusters and systems of cities and promotion of a green economy, smart city approach and urban-rural linkages;
• Spatial Planning Frameworks at metropolitan, regional, national and supra-national levels;
• Urban-Rural Linkages; developing tools and implementing the Urban-Rural Linkages: Guiding Principles and framework for action

PLGS is currently recruiting a minimum of four home-based interns to assist with its portfolio in 2020 and 2021.

The expected starting date is December 21, 2020.

The UN-Habitat Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) internship is for 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 intern's assigned office as well as the internship period.

Under the Supervision of the Chief the intern will:

• Review introductory materials of the PLGS portfolio and research on contemporary topics related to Policy, Legislation and Governance Section in the context of sustainable urbanization and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals;
• Assist in developing tools, frameworks and guidelines, policy documents, and/or concept notes to build the PLGS portfolio on Regional and Metropolitan studies;
• Assist in identifying research gaps and undertake activities, with the collaboration of research institutions, to fill any identified gaps in order to augment the Section’s portfolio;
• Assist in developing and implementing the PLGS work plan monitoring system, monitoring key indicators and following-up with partners on their reporting and feedback, including in country and regional offices;
• Analyze and present the data gathered from diverse sources in reports, tools, normative products among others;
• Contribute to written outputs e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies and inputs to publications;
• Assist with the production of communication materials and updates for the Section’s websites;
• Support in the francophone project countries on urban-rural linkages work in preparation of tools, concept notes, background documents among others;
• Assist in translation and review of background documents, concept notes among others from English to French and French to English as appropriate;
• Assist in planning, preparing and implementing PLGS related events (meetings, workshops, conferences, Expert Group Meetings, etc.) and support the implementation of specific recommendations arising from these events;
• Develop under/without supervision various tools/ guides;
• Assist in the design of training programs and materials related to the PLGS work plan, including through the identification of training needs and demands from key national and local stakeholders;
• Assist with outreach activities and the production of awareness materials that will support the rolling out of the PLGS work plan;

Perform other tasks relevant to the candidate and PLGS, as jointly determined with the PLGS team.

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 a Bachelor's degree, Masters, Ph.D 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;

• Urban/Public Policy, Governance, Legislation, Urban Development, Metropolitan Management, Communications and IT, Project Development or Management, Architecture or other related fields (Master or PhD candidate preferable).
• Knowledge of design or web software such as the Adobe creative suite (e.g. Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop) is an advantage;
• Strong interests in PLGS’s portfolio of works and is self-motivation;
• Strong writing skills; experience with academic writing or reporting is an asset;
• Analytical skills; experience with research and/or familiarity with research methodologies is an asset;
• Ability to work and deliver outputs independently in a timely manner, 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.

Languages

English and French are the official languages of the UN. For this internship position, English is required, and knowledge of French, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese or Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

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