HABITAT Internship 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 Gender Equality Unit Leader and crosscutting consultants the intern will:
UNHabitat is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals are premised on the understanding that no person/s should be left behind in the development process.
The objective of this internship is to
Assist with the roles and responsibilities o the Gender Equality Unit, including:
Advocacy
Capacity building
Project development
Assist with project review for crosscutting issues (gender, youth, human rights, climate change)
Support the development of the crosscutting report and other reporting measures
The intern will support the activities related gender mainstreaming throughout all normative and substantive work of UNHabitat and give operational support to GCSU. The intern’s activities will include:
Writing of documents, reports and correspondence for internal use.
Desk research (on published documents, internal reports and the internet) on specific issues related to the mainstreaming of gender
Support to and participation in internal and external meetings. This will involve both organizational and substantive tasks, such as preparation of contributions, development of agendas, logistical support and reporting.
Core Competencies for the HABITAT Internship
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 twoway 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
viewEstablishes 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
Education
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 a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a oneyear period of graduation.
Be computer literate in standard software applications.
Have demonstrated 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 include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
Preferred
Must be currently enrolled in the final year of a bachelor’s degree, or an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Human Rights, sociology, anthropology, political science, business administration, development studies, development management, economics or a related field.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required.
Knowledge of the other is desirable.
Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
