Intern - Programme Support- Housing and Human Security

Work LocationIn-person, Nairobi, Kenya Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrg. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate housing for all. It works towards the long-term goal of ensuring sustainable cities and communities as mandated by the Sustainable Development Goals framework (SDG 11). As such, there are targets and indicators developed to this effect as short term guidance to enable monitoring of progress towards the attainment of SDG11, while linking and contributing to other SDG goals such as Poverty Eradication SDG1 with custodian mandate for access to basic services (SDG indicator 1.4.1) and land tenure security (SDG indicator 1.4.2) among others. This internship position will support the Land, Housing and Shelter Section (LHSS) in the Urban Practices Branch within the Global Solutions Division of UN-Habitat. LHSS provides support to the development of norms and standards in conventions, declarations, regulatory frameworks, agreements, guidelines, codes of practice, and other standard-setting instruments, at global, regional, national and sub-national level in support of a) the equitable supply of serviced land at scale; b) efficient and effective land management systems; c) freedom from arbitrary or forced eviction and the protection of the security of tenure for all; d) the progressive achievement of universal access to housing meeting the requirements for an adequate standard of living; e) participatory urban regeneration and slum upgrading. The Land, Housing and Shelter Section (LHSS) hosts the Land, Housing and Shelter Community of Practice (LHS CoP) and Knowledge Platform. The LHS CoP and Knowledge Platform has the long-term goal to strengthen UN-Habitat’s normative capacity to deliver adequate housing for all. In the short-term, the objective is to create an open platform bringing together partners to exchange and learn in the field of adequate housing for all. The intern will be under the co-supervision of the Programme Management Officer and the Chief of the Land, Housing and Shelter Section (LHSS) of UN-Habitat. The internship is for a maximum of six (6) months. Applicants may request to undertake the internship remotely for a part of the internship in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, sponsorship and international travel. 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 co-supervision of the Programme Management Officer and the Programme Coordinator, the intern will: • Support in the data collection, literature review, analysis, interpretation and writing on housing and human security issues globally, including policy mapping. • Support in the development, compilation, synthesis and management of knowledge materials developed by the section, including LHS project analysis and monitoring against the mandates. • Assist substantive and technical staff in organizing and documenting housing and human security related events, training and meetings. • Keep track of relevant national/regional/international meetings and events in the thematic area of housing – including cross cutting issues on human security. • Provide research and technical support to resource mobilization activities, including developing concept notes and proposals. • Contribute to various housing related communication and advocacy activities and initiatives, including the support of LHS Community of Practice (CoP). • Support the establishment and management of the LHS knowledge management system and associated tools for the LHS Community of Practice (CoP) to support knowledge exchange, learning and communication. • Carry out mapping and research on selected topics relevant to the content and management of the LHS Community of Practice (CoP). • Perform other related tasks as assigned Qualifications/special skillsApplicants 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 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: Housing Studies, Urban Development, Human Security or related social sciences field. 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. Knowledge of urban development, land management and housing policy is required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel) is required. Experience in research and technical writing is desirable. LanguagesEnglish 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. Additional InformationNot available. Intern Specific textInterns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. No FeeTHE 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.