Duties and Responsibilities
Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the mandated UN Agency working towards a sustainable urbanization and human settlements. UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries supporting people in cities and human settlements for a better urban future. The agency has been focusing on urban development for over 40 years. Working with governments and local partners, its high impact projects combine world-class expertise and local knowledge to deliver timely and targeted solutions. 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. One of the ways that UN-Habitat is supporting Member states to put in place sustainable, inclusive and people-centered approaches in urban development is through National Urban Polices, regulatory frameworks and other tools development. PLGS plays a key role in supporting the delivery of the following intervention areas: 1. National Urban Policies from pre-feasibility, diagnostic, development, implementation to monitoring and tracking progress. 2. Regulatory and legislative tools and support to Member States on a range of topics relevant to UN-Habitat. 3. 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. 4. Urban-Rural Linkages; developing tools and implementing territorial approaches. 5. Developing documents, pilot/test and disseminate norms, standards, tools, methodologies, regulatory frameworks, operating procedures, and inspiring practices at global, regional, national and sub-national levels. 6. Designing tailored-made solutions on policy, legislative and governance for cities, regions and metropolitan development, enhance urban-rural continuum, with the view to reduce spatial inequality and poverty and increase shared prosperity. 7. Generating and managing cutting-edge knowledge and data (including Indexes and database) on Policy, Legislation and Governance. PLGS is currently recruiting two (2) interns to assist with its portfolio in 2024 on National Urban Policy, legislation and governance, metropolitan management, urban-rural linkages and territorial approaches. This position is located in UN-Habitat Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (UN-Habitat/GSD/UPB/PLGS) in Nairobi, Kenya and under the general supervision of the Chief of the Section and under delegated supervision. The incumbent will perform the following duties summarized below. Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned office, and the internship period. Under the direct supervision of the Human Settlement Officer (PLGS), the intern will: A. National Urban Policy (NUP) • Contribute to the review of introductory materials of the PLGS portfolio and research on contemporary topics related to National Urban Policy in the context of sustainable urbanization and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. • Assist on the analysis and presentation of the data and information gathered from diverse sources in reports, tools, and normative products among others. • Copy-edit and finalize project reports, tools, frameworks and other deliverables • Produce a personal project that aligns with the goals and objectives of the Section, contributing to the overall mission of advancing knowledge and understanding in National urban Policy (NUP), Urban Rural Linkages, Metropolitan Development and corridor development. • Review and produce summaries on existing courses to support National Urban Policy workstream’s effort to produce training packages ; • Assist in translation and review of background documents, concept notes among others from English to French and French to English as appropriate. B. Urban-Rural Linkages (URL) and Metropolitan Development • Contribute to the review and production of summaries on existing courses to support the Section’s effort to produce training packages on urban-rural linkages. • Assist reviewing the introductory materials of URL workstream and research on contemporary topics related to the same in the context of sustainable urbanization and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. • Organize expert group meetings, consultative sessions, conferences, and other events, support outreach activities, and promote knowledge-sharing within the Urban Rural Linkages (URL) community. • Undertake any other duties as may be required to ensure the Section’s effective functioning and the successful implementation of its initiatives.
Qualifications/special skills
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 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: The candidate must be currently pursuing or have recently attained an advanced university degree in one of the following fields: Urban/Public Policy, Governance, Urban and Territorial development, Urban Development, Metropolitan Management, Project Development or Management, Architecture, or other related fields (Master or PhD candidate preferably). 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 to the UN internship programme within the Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) of the Urban Practices Branch (UPB) are required to have experience in research and copy editing, communications, tools development and management, project development and management. Please explain and provide examples. Experience working on urban thematic is required. Do you have experience in carrying out research on urban law and/or governance related to the thematic areas of urban planning, land, climate change, and housing, among others? Please explain. Experiences in database management/data analytics and analysis of data or related areas with evidence/examples – Experience also in organizing events is desirable. Do you have experience organizing events (e.g., expert group meetings, consultative and other meetings and conferences) or supporting outreach activities? Please explain.