Posting Title: INTERN – Data & Methodology, I (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: INTERN – PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
Department/Office: United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Duty Station: NAIROBI
Posting Period: 03 July 2023 – 17 July 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Programme Management-UN-HABITAT-212831-J-Nairobi (O)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingThe 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 Urban Practices Branch, UN-HABITAT, Nairobi, Kenya. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is dedicated to promoting sustainable urban development and addressing global challenges related to housing, cities, and human settlements. Its work focuses on advancing the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level, ensuring that the innovative characteristics of the agenda and the principles of the New Urban Agenda are understood, employed, monitored, and relevant at sub-national levels such as regions, cities, and communities. This internship is located in the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team within UN-Habitat’s Urban Practices Branch. SDG localization involves adapting and implementing the SDGs at the local level, considering the specific contexts, priorities, and capacities of individual cities, regions, or communities. It entails aligning national-level SDG targets and indicators with local goals, strategies, and actions; building capacities of local and regional governments; creating or enhancing local data environments; and strengthening local voices within international and UN-led discussions on SDGs. Throughout, the work on SDG Localization embraces multilevel governance, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and the overall principle of leaving no one and no territory behind. Specifically, three main initiatives have accelerated UN-Habitat’s work on SDG Localization: (i) The Global Urban Monitoring Framework which provides standardized indicators to measure urban development dimensions and enables cities worldwide to track progress and make informed decisions for sustainable urbanization. (ii) The SDG Cities Flagship Programme which offers a roadmap, technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge sharing to help cities integrate SDGs into their urban development strategies and policies. (iii) Voluntary Local Review (VLR) which allows local and regional governments to assess, report, and plan their progress in implementing the SDGs at the local level, showcasing their efforts, exchanging best practices, and contributing to global monitoring and reporting. The SDG Localization and Local Governments Team plays a crucial role in supporting and collaborating across various aspects of the SDG localization process, including data innovation, strategic planning, capacity development, project delivery, monitoring and reporting. Particularly, Voluntary Local Reviews are integral to the team’s work, involving both the training and advising of local governments on VLR worldwide, and advancing on the VLR methodology and corresponding tools. Additionally, the team supports two projects: one focusing on greener and sustainable urban recovery in Eastern European and Central Asian countries, and theother on fostering COVID-19 recovery and SDG implementation through local action in Asia-Pacific, Arab, and African countries. These projects aim to promote socioeconomic recovery, localize the SDGs, and utilize the potential of VLRs for designing local recovery plans.This internship is aimed at supporting the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team, specifically in data analysis, VLR reporting, and advancing the VLR methodology and tools. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Data and Methodology 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 Human Settlements Officer, SDG Localization and Local government, UPB, the intern will: – Participate in the collection, computation, analysis, and alignment of Sustainable Development Goal Indicators, New Urban Agenda Indicators, Global Urban Monitoring Framework indicators, and other urban indicators. – Assist the planning, drafting and review of Voluntary Local Reviews and SDG City Development Strategies supported by UN-Habitat. – Practically support the roll out of VLRs and as part of the two global projects on Voluntary Local Reviews and SDG localization. – Support the review of deliverables from the local consultants, providing constructive feedback and concise comments for improvements. – Provide support in collecting and analyzing data related to SDGs and VLRs, and its translation into written reports, presentations and policy recommendations. – Support the coordination between UN-Habitat’s work on Voluntary Local Reviews, SDG Cities and the Global Urban Monitoring Framework Teams. – Create data analysis and visualizations for internal and external use.
CompetenciesCommunication: 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.
EducationApplicants 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 skills: – Must be computer literate in standard software applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint) and particularly Microsoft Excel. – Must have strong analytical skills, including the ability to gather and critically analyze information, identify patterns and areas for improvement, and draw logical, evidence-based conclusions. – Should be familiarize with GIS, SPSS, or other data management and advanced analytics systems such as Stata or R-Studio. – Possesses strong interests in local governance and local development. – Approaches complex problems methodically, and is precise and accurate when working with numbers, data, and text. – Is independent, self-motivated, and takes initiative. Preferred areas of studies: Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Human Geography, Architecture, Statistics, Urban Data Science or any other related field of study.
Work ExperienceNo 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 data analysis/ data cleaning/data management or data visualization as well as utilizing the necessary applications is required. Familiarity with GIS, SPSS, or other data management and advanced analytics systems such as Stata or R-Studio 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 official UN language is desirable.
AssessmentPotential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration.
Special NoticeYour 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 ConsiderationsAccording 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 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.
