UN-HABITAT Intern – Policy, Legislation and Governance Jobs in Kenya
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).
Responsibilities
The Intern will support PLGS workstreams, undertaking duties in one or a combination of the following five (5) categories:
Research and Copy editing
Review introductory materials of the PLGS portfolio and research on contemporary topics related to Policy, Legislation and Governance Section in the context of sustainable urbanization and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Assist in carrying out research and studies on various urban law and governance topics such as urban planning law, housing law, public participation and climate smart urban planning legislation.
Analyze and present the data and information gathered from diverse sources in reports, tools, normative products among others.
Assist in translation and review of background documents, concept notes among others from English to French and French to English as appropriate.
Tools development and management
Assist in developing tools, frameworks and guides, policy documents, and/or concept notes to build the PLGS portfolio on Policy, Legislation and Governance related work.
Assist in identifying research gaps and undertake activities, with the collaboration of research institutions, to fill any identified gaps in order to augment the Section’s portfolio.
Analyze and present the data gathered from diverse sources.
Assist in developing and implementing the PLGS work plan monitoring system, monitoring key indicators and following up with partners on their reporting and feedback, including with country and regional offices.
Communications
Contribute to written outputs e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies and inputs to publications.
Assist with outreach activities and the production of awareness materials to support the rolling out of the PLGS work plan.
Assist in creative ideas of outreach of our publications, by exploring how audio books could be made effective within the section publications catalogue.
Project Development and management
Support project development and management within PLGS through assistance in preparation of tools, concept notes, background documents among others.
Assist in planning, preparing and disseminating PLGS related projects (webinars, meetings, workshops, conferences, Expert Group Meetings, etc.) and supporting the implementation of specific recommendations arising from these events.
Provide backstopping support to ongoing and pipeline projects.
Assist in the design of training programs and materials related to the PLGS projects, including through the identification of training needs and demands from key national and local stakeholders.
Other tasks relevant to the candidate and PLGS, as jointly determined with the PLGS team.
Administration
Assist with liaising with different offices regarding individual communications requests and provide assistance with the review and publication of communication material (including. articles, broadcasts).
Attend meetings with UN counterparts and coordinate follow-up to decisions within the section, as appropriate.
Assist in preparing presentation materials including graphs, charts, excel tables and PowerPoint slides.
Assist in organizing expert group meetings, consultative and other meetings and conferences, support outreach activities.
Assist in drafting notes, minutes, preparation of reports and background documents.
Assist in reviewing and Audit recommendations and follow up on the implementation.
Create and compile a folder in Teams with important UN Circulars, Policies, rules, and regulations.
Qualifications/special skills
Applicants must at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:
Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher),
Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent),
Have graduated with Bachelor’s degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent.
For IT and communication intern: Conversant with Adobe Package tools: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premier Pro, not limiting Microsoft tools like PowerPoint, Word and Excel.
Possess basic design fundamentals for creating social media posts.
Knowledge of programming languages and frameworks: JavaScript (React, React Native), PHP (Laravel), API knowledge, Git, database concepts and normalization processes, UX/UI design, basic wireframe mockups (Figma), usage of Content Management Systems like WordPress. Knowledge of low-code tools like Microsoft Power Apps is an asset.
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(s) 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, Law, Urban Development, Metropolitan Management, Communications and IT, Graphic design, Project Development or Management, Architecture, or other related fields (Master or PhD candidate preferable).
In addition, successful applicants are expected to have demonstrated ability in one or more areas listed below:
Possess strong interests in PLGS’s portfolio of works and is self-motivated.
Possess strong writing skills; experience with academic writing or reporting is an asset.
Possess analytical skills; experience with research and/or familiarity with research methodologies is an asset.
Ability to work and deliver outputs independently in a timely manner, with minimal supervision.
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. Undertake the NUP E-Learning and attach the certificate.
Languages
English 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 other UN Language (particularly Russian, Chinese and Arabic) is desirable.
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; UN-HABITAT Intern – Policy, Legislation and Governance Jobs in Kenya
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