Communications, Challenge-Driven Innovation Intern

Work Location

In-Person, Nairobi

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. The internship is located in the Innovation Unit within the External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation (ERSKI) Division of UN-Habitat, Nairobi, Kenya. ERSKI is responsible for strategic planning, programmatic direction and operationalization of UN-Habitat’s focal point role for the New Urban Agenda in the UN system and for coordination of Emergency Programmes. The Communications, Challenge-Driven Innovation internship is for 6 months. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. 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 Programme Management Officer of the Innovation Unit, the intern will contribute in the following ways; – Support the drafting of outputs such as concept notes, background notes, technical studies, case studies and other thematic analyses for projects and initiatives within the Innovation Unit, particularly the Climate Smart Cities Challenge, the Cities Connect initiative and the upcoming Co-Designing Urban Futures programme. – Conduct research on challenge-driven innovation, including data collection and drafting of chapters and case studies. – Help draft the UN-Habitat playbook on challenge-driven innovation for local governments, and contribute inputs and sections. – Help draft chapters for the UN-Habitat playbook on climate-smart cities, including collecting and producing relevant case studies. – Support the development of web articles, posters, infographics, presentations and other communication products to raise visibility of the Innovation Unit’s programmatic work related to urban innovation and climate-smart cities, in close collaboration with project teams within and outside the Unit. – Update the innovation and smart cities web pages on UN-Habitat’s website regularly. – Help organize the Innovation Unit’s relevant events, including webinars, in-person expert meetings, roundtables, and support in event advocacy and any other communications and capacity development activities. – Assist in planning, promoting and organizing meetings or substantive presentations and the day-to-day operations and the preparation of special events of the Innovation Unit, including taking notes. – Support the organization, promotion and coordination of new innovation projects, events, partnerships, and other initiatives, as tasked by the supervisor. – Support the promotion of the Innovation Unit’s work in the preparations towards the World Urban Forum in November 2024. – Perform any other tasks as assigned by the team or supervisor. Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

Qualifications/special skills

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 Suite). 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: Graduate or Post Graduate studies in Communications, Strategic Design and Management, Media, Journalism, Information Design, Web Development, Public Relations, or any other related studies. 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. Background in urban development, sustainability, smart cities or innovation 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 Arabic is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

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.