UN-HABITAT Intern – Sustainable Finance – Temporary Jobs in Kenya
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.
In total, UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries to advance the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the local level, in accordance with the commitments and principles set out in the New Urban Agenda. The position is located within the Cities Investment Facility, Office of the Executive Director, UN-HABITAT, Nairobi, Kenya.
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, feasibility, development and financial close.
It complements existing investment facilities and market-making services by enhancing early-stage project design and origination, particularly in low and middle-income countries and secondary cities.
The Cities Investment Facility (CIF) plays a critical role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, by unlocking private capital for urban infrastructure development projects. This role will support the facilitation and delivery of project preparation support to high-potential urban infrastructure projects around the world, which are selected and admitted into the CIF Project Pipeline.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Sustainable Finance internship is for six (6) months. Multiple internship positions are available.
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:
Support the delivery of ideation, feasibility analysis, and project preparation support to sustainable urban development infrastructure projects in the CIF Project Pipeline.
Engage with CIF Implementing Partners – global experts delivering project preparation support – to track, monitor and guide the project preparation process.
Support and facilitate project assessment, due diligence and bankability assessment processes of projects within the CIF Project Pipeline.
Assist in the identification and incorporation of ESG and SDG-oriented analysis and decision support methodologies within the CIF.
Assist the development of a Donor Tracker: a database and analysis of relevant investors and financiers engaged by UN-Habitat, in support of launching a new Feasibility Fund Creating agendas, presentation materials, taking action notes and providing follow-up engagement, for internal UN-Habitat and external Partner meetings.
Sustainable Finance
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: including memorandums of understanding, budgets, work plans, marketing collateral 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 donors, investors and financiers who can support the work of UN-Habitat and CIF.
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.
Education
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.
Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint).
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:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Sustainable Finance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Social Governance, Socially Responsible Investment, Economics, or related social science field including economic and human geography, political science, urban studies and business oriented urban planning.
Person Specification:
Strong organizational skills and action-oriented delivery of tasks.
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.
Understanding of project management and tracking.
Strong interest in sustainable urban development, and a passion for UN-Habitat’s work; a particular interest in energy policy would be beneficial.
With six months to 1 year of experience in a similar role preferred, with a strong interest in developing a career in international events and project management.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
Ability to work proactively and collaboratively as part of a diverse team across multiple time zones.
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.
Background in sustainable finance, banking, international relations, economics, financing or developing urban development projects, or other social science fields is required.
Commitment to gaining a strong understanding of the urban context, infrastructure project development processes and the de-risking of international development projects is desirable.
Excellent command of UK English, business English and an understanding of tailoring language based on audience 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 is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; UN-HABITAT Intern – Sustainable Finance – Temporary Jobs in Kenya
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