Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the 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 shelter for all.
The Cities Investment Facility (CIF) is a multi-stakeholder, partner-driven initiative of UN-Habitat. The Facility enables the flow of capital into urban development by supporting projects through the process of ideation, design, feasibility, and financial close. CIF aims to meet the immediate infrastructure needs resulting from rapid urban growth by providing technical assistance to up to 100 urban projects by 2023. It complements existing investment facilities and market-making services by looking at enhancing early-stage design and origination, particularly in low and middle-income countries and secondary cities.
Multiple internship positions are available. The candidate should include the preferred internship tracks in the application cover note. Specific tasks and support will depend on the individual's background as well as the internship period.
The UN-Habitat/ Office of the Executive Director internship is for 6 months.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship. 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 Supervision of the Special Advisor to the Executive Director, Office of the Executive Director, the interns will contribute to Cities Investment Facility team in the following ways:
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
The intern will:
- Assist with project development and feasibility analysis of a range of UN-Habitat projects
- Support due diligence and bankability assessment of projects within the CIF pipeline in tandem with implementing partners external to UN-Habitat
- Assist in the identification and incorporation of ESG and SDG-oriented analysis and decision support methodologies within the CIF
- Assist with developing a database and analysis of relevant investors and financiers who can support the work of UN-Habitat
Qualifications:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proficient in the Office Suite, particularly, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Understanding of ESG and principles of sustainable finance (blended finance, public private partnerships, etc.)
- Basic understanding of financial performance metrics (discounted cash flow, profitability assessments, etc.) and decision analysis
PARTNERSHIP
The intern will:
- Liaise with current and potential partners in the areas of commercial and private investment, and developing project pipelines
- Support the development of partnership agreements, memorandums of understanding, work plans, and other relevant materials for CIF relationships with partners as required
- Contribute to developing and operationalizing CIF’s strategy, roadmap and business model
- Assist with developing a database and analysis of relevant investors and financiers who can support the work of UN-Habitat
Qualifications:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including facilitating meetings
- Proficient in the Office Suite, particularly, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Understanding of ESG and principles of sustainable finance (blended finance, public private partnerships, etc.)
- Understanding of principles of organizational design, strategy and business model development, operations management, partnerships building, and stakeholder engagement
MARKETING & OUTREACH
The intern will:
- Assist in designing and implementing the overall marketing strategy for CIF
- Draft, format, edit and post original web site content/news stories/ social media content, including graphics, photographs and video
- Conduct research on thematic issues
- Assist with planning and producing marketing campaigns across CIF social media channels
- Contribute to internal UN-Habitat publications
- Prepare specific content and materials (documents, reports, strategies) designed for the public, working closely with external partners, in English
- Prepare promotional presentations and distribute marketing materials
Qualifications:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Understanding of the marketing industry and marketing techniques is preferred
ALL ROLES:
- will contribute to or develop a personal project of their own that aligns with the intern’s interests and the agency’s sustainable financing work
- will enhance the internal flow of information and communication through the preparation of briefing notes, minutes of meetings, and through the web
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.
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 are of Study:
Master’s degree in Sustainable Finance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Social Governance, Socially Responsible Investment, Economics, and/or a Bachelor’s degree in Economics or related social science field, including economic and human geography, political science, urban studies, and business oriented urban planning.
Previous experience with urban development, infrastructure, sustainability, urban financing, sustainable financing, and international development is preferred but not required.
⁃ Background in sustainable finance, banking, international relations, economics, financing or developing urban development projects, or other social science fields;
⁃ Highly developed interpersonal skills, and the ability to network;
⁃ Strong sense of independent work;
⁃ A quick learner;
⁃ An appetite to contribute to strategic planning and astute strategic thinking;
⁃ Strong understanding of the urban context, infrastructure development processes, de-risking of international development projects;
⁃ Excellent command of UK English, business English and an understanding of tailoring language based on audience;
⁃ Fluent in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel and Powerpoint, and comfortable around new software.
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.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in English is required.
Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to complete a short-written assessment.
Further shortlisted candidates may be invited to a final interview.
Special Notice
“In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.”
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.
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.