The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. 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’s Urban Planning and Design Branch supports countries in developing urban planning methods and promotes urban planning approaches to address urban growth and urban transformation processes in countries with rapid urbanization and where cities face urban challenges. The Branch consists of three units, including the Climate Change Planning Unit (CCPU).
CCPU is leading and coordinating UN-Habitat’s work on urban climate change mitigation and adaptation, implementing several flagship initiatives and projects.
– The Cities and Climate Change Initiative (CCCI), launched in August 2008, supports small- and medium-sized cities in developing countries to address the climate challenge, and become more resilient to climate change and embrace low-carbon strategies.
– Projects such as Developing and Financing City Climate Action Plans; Pro-poor planning of Climate Resilience in Marginalized Neighborhoods; Accelerating Climate Action through the Promotion of Urban Low Emission Development Strategies; Addressing Urban and Human Settlement Issues in National Adaptation Plans; etc.
– CCPU is also overseeing the mainstreaming of Climate Change, one of UN-Habitat’s four cross-cutting topics, into the agency’s normative and operational work.
The UN-Habitat Cities and Climate Change internship is for 6 months.
The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.
Interns work five days per week (35 hours) 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 direct supervision of the Leader of the Climate Change Planning Unit, the intern will carry out the following duties:
– Assist in planning and implementing CCPU related adaptation and mitigation projects, and normative publications.
– Research on contemporary topics related to cities and climate change and sustainable urbanization.
– Assist in planning, preparing and implementing CCPU related events.
– Prepare articles for the CCCI newsletters and other relevant publications by the Unit. Review CCPU’s experience to date and help share this knowledge via online media or other publications.
– Perform other tasks relevant to candidate and CCPU, as jointly determined by the CCPU team.
Tasks Opportunities:
– Familiarize oneself with the United Nations and UN-Habitat
– Technical issues involving the urban development and climate change
– How agencies respond to requests from member states, donors and partners
– Additionally, your supervisor will be willing to introduce you to other colleagues at UN-Habitat in whose work you may be interested, for informal ‘informational interviews’ and networking purposes
– Training Opportunities in an official UN language (at cost)
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 a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
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 Areas of Studies:
Urban or Land-use Planning, Climate Change Science or related topic.
Additionally, in the cover letter, the candidate should indicate how an internship with the Climate Change Planning Unit corresponds to their academic interests or will contribute to their professional development, and explain why she/he would be a strong candidate for this internship.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.
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 Spanish is highly 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).
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