Current Opportunities at UN-Habitat

Responsibilities  

• Programmatic: Assist in planning and implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation projects, supporting the Flagship programme RISE UP: Resilient Settlement for the Urban Poor. Assist in roll-out of the COP27 presidential initiative SURGe – Sustainable Urban Resilience for the next Generation as well as related initiatives and global climate processes. Support the development of new projects at country, regional or global levels. Assist in the implementation of UN-Habitat’s ESSS. 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 support production of normative publications and the above operations. Research in support of the continual improvement of UN-Habitat’s ESSS and its Environmental Management System implementation. Review UN-Habitat outputs with a view to extract and capture 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 in global events such as Innovate4Cities 2024, WUF12, Biodiversity COP16 and Climate COP29.  
• 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 candidate and the Team, as jointly determined.

Qualifications/special skills

• 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 Suite).  
• Have demonstrated a 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: 
• Currently pursuing or hold a degree in Urban Planning, Climate Change, Environmental Sciences or Management, Environmental Engineering, International Development, Political and International Affairs, Communication or similar relevant topic is required (Master degree or PhD candidate preferable).  
• Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. 
• However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.  Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme.  Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Computer literacy in standard software applications and excellent communication skills are required.  Experience in content creation and social media skills are desirable.  Good research skills in the field of sustainable urban development or (the social dimension) of climate change are desirable.

Languages

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

Deadline : Apr 4, 2024

go to method of application »

Responsibilities

• Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programmes/ projects; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.  
• Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.  Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.  
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.  Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.     
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.  
• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.  
• Undertakes outreach and regional mobilization activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, multi-level urban forums; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities to promote the World Urban Forum and UN-Habitats’ position the agency as the leader in sustainable urbanization.  
• Initiates and coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).  
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.   
• Provides substantive support to other UN-Habitat’s corporate priority programmes and events.   Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM:  Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to urban development, sustainable development, urban planning, urban policy, programme management, planning, architecture, or public policy.  Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.  Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.  
• 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 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.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in physical sciences such as architecture, civil engineering, urban planning, urban policy and management or another related field is required.   A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.  Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressive professional experience in the fields of urban development, sustainable development, urban planning, urban policy, programme management, planning, architecture, or public policy is required.    Experience in designing and implementing stakeholder engagement and mobilization strategies in an international context is required. Experience in handling complex organizational issues with different stakeholders in an international organization is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

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

go to method of application »

Within the Regional Office for Africa, he/she will have to support in:    

• Contributing training on writing bankable projects and disseminating the Resilience Framework for Action with purpose of resource mobilization in seven (07) cities under the second phase of the Sahel Urban Resilience project (Outcome 2)  
• Contributing to the DA15 project in Senegal, Burkina Faso and other FrenchSpeaking LCDs “Harnessing urbanization for a more resilient, inclusive and green recovery in Frenchspeaking Least Developed Countries”  
• Contributing to the development of concept notes for the further development of the UNHabitat portfolio for African SIDS, both on the normative aspects and climate adaptation efforts  
• Contributing technical assistance for the implementation the CityRAP tool  in Sao Tomé and Principe under the GCF project  
• Providing technical assistance for the implementation of the national component of the SEA Climate Urban Resilience project in Comoros, especially through the implementation the CityRAP tool and coordination of/technical inputs to the practical guide for municipalities on urban resilience  
• Contributing to the overall coordination of Sao Tomé and Principe and Comoros country programs  Contributing technical expertise through best practices to the further development of material for the CityRAP tool  
• Providing technical inputs to the delivery of the African regional and pilot components of the project “Strengthened Capacities of African, Caribbean and Pacific SIDS for Green, Resilient and Propoor Pandemic Recovery”

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Urban Planning/Design, Architecture, Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development or Development Studies, International Relations is required.  Minimum of 3 years of working experience in Urban Planning, Architecture, Graphic Design, Project Management, or related fields at international level is required.  Familiarity with the concepts of disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and urban resilience, and a demonstrable understanding of urban development processes, urban planning, urban social issues, urban policy analysis.

Languages

• Fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required.

Deadline : Mar 29, 2024

go to method of application »

Under the direct supervision of the Human Settlements Officer, the intern will perform the following duties and responsibilities: 
Administrative Support:  

• Assist in processing and reporting travel-related requests.   Assist in processing vendor payments.  Assist in drafting and preparing official documents, routine correspondence reports related to financial and admin matters.  Assist in providing logistical support during meetings and conferences.  Maintain an online and physical filing system for key documents.  Assist in keeping accurate records of recruitment, subcontracts, and payments.  Assists in identifying and resolving diverse issues/problems as they arise and determines appropriate actions.  
• Assist to coordinate with service units and liaise frequently with internal team members both at Headquarters and in the field. 

Finance and budgets:  

• Assist to review all grants created in the period to ensure they have adequate supporting documentation attached.  Assist to coordinate with other finance staff for troubleshooting and responding to enquiries in respect to relevant financial matters.  Assist with preparation of quarterly and monthly financial reports for management and donors.  Assist in collecting data from relevant databases and prepares customized financial reports.  Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions.  

Human Resources:  

• Support to coordinate various actions related to the administration of the unit's human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures. Liaises with central administration/executive services as required.   Support in the maintenance of vacancy announcement files and keeps track of status of vacancy announcements.  Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills

• 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 Suite).  
• Have demonstrated a 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: At least a first level degree or currently enrolled in a third or fourth year of undergraduate (BA/BSc) in Accounting, Commerce, Business Administration.  

• Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.  Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme.  
• Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.  
• Applicants must have good knowledge of standard software applications, including MS Excel, MS Outlook, and SharePoint. Please explain how you meet this criterion using examples.  
• Previous administrative support experience is desirable. Please explain how you meet this criterion using examples.  
• Candidates for the UN Internship Programme are required to cover the cost of travel including visa, accommodation, health insurance and other living expenses for the duration of the internship.  Will you be able to cover all the above-mentioned expenses? Please explain below.

Languages

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

Deadline : Apr 4, 2024