Intern (Multiple in Cities Alliance)

Contract

This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership for the promotion of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Headquartered in Brussels and supported by a Secretariat, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership - including global organisations of local authorities, national governments, international non-governmental organisations, foundations, knowledge networks and multilateral organisations – which have come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development.

Cities Alliance is a global leader, with a strong track record in grant making, that supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Cities Alliance has a longstanding track record of supporting cities to build longer-term visions and plans for themselves that recognise the value of all residents; attract investment to where it is needed; strengthen basic services, housing, and job opportunities for slum dwellers; help integrate the informal economy into the city supply chains; and sustain the fabric of civil society and societal cohesion in “the last mile” within informal settlements, with specific attention to gender equality and strengthening resilience to climate change.Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, flexible grant-making mechanism with global reach.

Cities Alliance is implementing its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, which conveys the realignment of 20 years of experience in fighting urban poverty and sharpens our focus on tested solutions to the unprecedented challenges that are impacting cities, their informal settlements, and most acutely, the urban poor. Cities Alliance operates through a business model which combines a Global window for normative work and a Country/City window for operations across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the MENA region.

The Cities Alliance Secretariat is recruiting for multiple internship positions and seeking highly motivated, dynamic and skilled interns who will have the opportunity to work with senior and experienced professionals and be exposed to learning and professional development opportunities.

Functional Responsibilities

For the duration of their internship, interns will be members of their assigned teams, participate in meetings, support specific exercises and provide assistance to meet business needs. Interns may be expected to travel for specific events. Interns will work under the guidance of a Task Manager in a combination of the following themes (list non-exhaustive – more information can be found on www.citiesalliance.org):

Programmatic Areas could include:

• Inclusive, gender-responsive and sustainable urban development
• Urban legal and land policies frameworks
• Urban governance, planning and basic urban services
• Climate resilient urban infrastructure and environment
• Citizenship and social inclusion
• Urban economy and environment;

Corporate Areas could include:

• Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning;;
• Business Development and Fundraising;
• Operations - grants, procurement and portfolio administration
• Communications and Outreach.

The functional responsibilities of the interns would be the following ones:

• Provide operational assistance to the various teams, including supporting procurement and grant-making processes, assisting with the management of deliverables and payments, assisting with planning and budgeting, among others.
• Carry out research and analysis to support project implementation or other business needs.
• Assist with information and knowledge management, including assist with keeping the website updated, drafting design documents and reports and other knowledge pieces, assist with the collection and analysis of data for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning purposes
• Assist with the organisation of international events, global dialogues and workshops, including help drafting agendas, liaising with speakers, assisting with travel arrangements, among others
• Draft articles on key themes, emerging trends and achievements. Provide inputs to concept notes and proposals and synthesize research findings.
• Draft briefing notes, talking points, powerpoint presentations and assist with communication and dissemination.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Training components and learning elements

Interns will have access to a number of UNOPS and UN training and will gain insights into the operational and managerial processes of an international organization.

The Secretariat will assign successful candidates to teams depending on the profiles of the candidates and the business needs. However, kindly state in your motivation letter if any corporate or thematic area is of particular interest.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Applicants must be enrolled in a Master’s Degree or Ph. D. program (or equivalent); or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.

Area of study and interest should be preferably one of the following: Urban Studies, Business Administration, Development Studies, Economics, Finance, Social Sciences, Political Science, Communications/Journalism or related fields.

Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience but some international work exposure is desirable.

Proficiency in using Google Workspace is highly desirable.

Language

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages would be considered an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Candidate are strongly encouraged to submit a motivation letter with the indication of any corporate or thematic area of particular interest.

Contract type: Internship Contract level: N/A Contract duration: 6 months with possible extension,

Interns should confirm that they are fit specifically for the duty station conditions, as certified by a medical practitioner. The Interns are responsible for receiving clearance from a medical doctor to travel and perform this internship.

This internship is not designed to lead to a staff position with UNOPS. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of the internship.

Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend from UNOPS provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions. Further, UNOPS may provide a one time travel lump sum depending on where they travel from to join UNOPS. However, they must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and necessary visa arrangements.

For more details about UNOPS internships please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Internships-and-volunteering.aspx

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.