INTERN - Urban Development and Housing

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting 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. The position is in the Regional Office for Africa, (ROAf), UN-Habitat, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Operating in more than 90 countries around the world, the organization manages a wide range of projects and programs. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the organization is a key player in the field of spatial planning and urban development, a reputation acquired after several years of presence in the country and tangible results on the ground. In this perspective, UN-Habitat has been accompanying the DRC government since 2012 through the Ministry of Land Affairs, supporting the land reform process for the implementation of the CAFI -DRC partnership. The average annual growth rate of the urban population in DRC was estimated at 4.1% over the last decade, resulting in an increase in the number of urban dwellers of 1 million per year. In Kinshasa in particular, the annual population growth rate averaged 5.1%, compared with 4.1% at national level between 1984 and 2010. Over the years, urbanization and rural development have not always produced quality urban and rural landscapes in line with planning and environmental protection standards.

Access to housing remains problematic. The lack of knowledge and data on the need for adequate and affordable housing hampers analysis of the demand for affordable housing by urban and rural locality. The quality of housing also concerns internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, estimated at nearly 5.6 million (51% of whom are women) and 50,000 respectively across the country as a result of violent conflicts, insecurity and disasters. In rural areas, the quality of many dwellings leaves much to be desired. Dwellings are eroded by rainfall, roofs are of very poor quality, and the women and children who live there often lack drinking water, electricity, energy for cooking, and enough room to live in dignity. In large plantations and private or public enterprises, the lack of decent housing for workers has been highlighted. These situations of inequitable access to housing in general and decent housing in particular are sources of social exclusion in the DRC. This mainly affects children, young people, women, the old persons and people living with disabilities.

With regard to the context, UN-Habitat, established in Kinshasa with an office in Goma is strengthening its presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has developed a country programme document whose objective is to contribute to a better coordinated and controlled ecological urbanization, source of peace and community prosperity in cities and territories. This objective is broken down into four priority programs: (i) Controlled urbanization, habitat, and reduction of inequalities. (ii) Land tenure and territorial prosperity. (iii) Climate change and community resilience; (iv) Inclusive prevention of crises and delinquency.

To support the implementation of its interventions, UN-Habitat is looking for an urban development and housing intern (with a focus on Housing, spatial planning, environment or natural resource management)

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Urban Development and Housing internship is for six (6) months.

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 direct supervision of the Project Management Officer, the intern will: - Assist in identifying opportunities within communities and translate problems into projects concepts and support resource mobilization. - Support the preparation of meetings with potential partners and donors. - Assist in developing communication and outreach tools and ensuring dissemination to projects stakeholders, potential donors, and partners. - Support the general implementation of UN-Habitat portfolio and engagement within the UN Cooperation Frameworks and the UN country team coordination. - Track key indicators and monitor their reports and feedback with partners, including with regional offices. - Assist in preparing layouts, engineering related calculations, design drawings, specifications, and visual aids. - Supporting field work in urban and engineering related components (urban development and housing projects, site inspections). - Assist in collecting and integrating data and applying technical principles and theories to assist in interpreting and analyzing data. - Support the development of communication and outreach tools. - Perform miscellaneous assignments on an as-needed basis. - Assist with website and social media engagement. - Other duties relevant to the candidate and ROAF, as jointly determined.

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 Bachelor's degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent.

Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office).

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 studies: Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Architecture, Community Mobilization, and Public Health, Geography

Work Experience No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Experience in Project Management, Urban Development and Housing is required.

Experience in working in a team to implement activities is desirable.

Background in communication and advocacy activities is desirable.

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

Assessment Potential candidates will be contacted by the 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).

Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE 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.