Intern - Urban Development and Housing

Work LocationIn-person, Sao Tome Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrg. Setting and Reporting 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 organization operates in more than 90 countries around the world and manages a wide range of projects and programs. With regard to its wide portfolio, UN-Habitat, is progressively strengthening its presence in the São Tome and Príncipe and has developed a strategy aimed at contributing to the development of an urban and housing policy, developed in coordination with the national spatial planning framework, waste management and disaster risk reduction. This objective is broken down into two (02) priority axis: (i) Controlled urbanization, housing, and better distribution of activities in the territory; (ii) Climate change and strengthening resilience in communities. The country program of cooperation between UN-Habitat and São Tomé and Príncipe is based on the major challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals, on the guidelines adopted within the framework of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and on the African Union's Agenda 2063. UN-Habitat’s interventions in Sao Tome &Principe focus on sustainable urbanization, housing, climate change, improved livelihoods, community resilience, Slum upgrading, waste management, Local/Regional Government, and decentralization. More than half of the São Toméan population is concentrated in the two main cities of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe: São Tomé (the country’s capital), with 38.5% of the country’s total population, and Trindade (the capital of the Mé-Zochi district), with 24.2% of the total population. With a total population of 209,607 , its urban population accounts for around 68.5% of the total population. UN-Habitat aims to work in the country by promoting sustainable and participatory urban development under the framework of the Development of a National Urban Policy and a Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) in response to the implementation of the National Development Plan of São Tomé and Príncipe, and actively supports the development and implementation of the UNSDCF. UN-Habitat is a key player in the field of urban and housing, a reputation acquired after years of presence in the country and tangible results on the ground, such as the “Sustainable Resettlement Project of the Sundy Community – Terra Prometida – in the Autonomous Region of Príncipe. The organization is accompanying the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, supporting the implementation of the Government‘s major strategic development priority programmes, specifically to resettle communities in housing complexes at risk of collapse, develop the real estate supply and strengthen its real estate development governance program, which aims to reinforce the institutional, legal and organizational framework of the real estate sector: (i) improve the institutional and legal framework and, (ii) strengthen the organizational framework. To support the implementation of its interventions, UN-Habitat is looking for a sustainable urban development and housing intern (with a focus on Housing, spatial planning, environment or climate change risk management) for a period of 6 months based in São Tomé. In accordance with the rules and recommendations in force within the United Nations, the internship is NON-PAID and full-time. It emphasizes the experience that it could represent for the aspirants. The Intern will work under the supervision of the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) Programme Management Officer (PMO) responsible for the Central Africa Sub Regional Office. Responsibilities • Assist in identifying opportunities within communities and translate problems into projects concepts and support resource mobilization. • Support the preparation of meetings with potential partners and donors • Assist in developing communication and outreach tools and ensuring dissemination to projects stakeholders, potential donors, and partners. • Support the general implementation of UN-Habitat portfolio and engagement within the UN Cooperation Frameworks and the UN country team coordination. • Track key indicators and monitor their reports and feedback with partners, including with regional offices; • Assist in preparing layouts, engineering related calculations, design drawings, specifications, and visual aids. • Supporting field work in urban and engineering related components (urban development and housing projects, site inspections). • Assist in collecting and integrating data and applying technical principles and theories to assist in interpreting and analyzing data. • Support the development of communication and outreach tools. • Perform miscellaneous assignments on an as-needed basis. • Assist with website and social media engagement. • Other duties relevant to the candidate and ROAF, as jointly determined. Qualifications/special skillsApplicants 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: Architecture, Civil engineering, Urban planning, Community mobilization, and Public Health, Geography. 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. As the Intern will be responsible for organization of workshops, it will be necessary for him/her to be able to make Power Point presentations during workshops and meetings will be required. As the work of the Intern will involve sharing information between the organization and stakeholders, it will be imperative that he/she be able to communicate effectively in French language and desirably in English. Excellent communication skills will be required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written French and Portuguese is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable. Additional InformationNot available. Intern Specific textInterns 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 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.