United Nations Human Settlements Programme Intern - Social Media & Communications Jobs in Kenya

United Nations Human Settlements Programme Intern - Social Media & Communications 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. The position is in the Regional Office for Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.

UN-Habitat Regional Office in Africa (ROAf), located in Nairobi, Kenya, is working with African governments to take early action to position themselves for predominately urban populations. The portfolio of ongoing projects in Africa is very diverse in terms of geographic coverage and development partners.

The current portfolio of UN-Habitat on Urban Resilience, Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction is expanding in the Sub-Saharan African countries, especially for Small Island Development States (SIDS) and the Sahel region.

SIDS face multiple challenges due to their often high vulnerability and exposure, extreme climate, and remote location. These countries are affected by common/transboundary climatic threats, triggering consequences such as devastating tropical cyclone seasons, both seasonal and acute drought, increased incidence of heavy rains, and a rise in sea level.

Some of these disasters result in not only deadly but also highly harmful effects, such as destroying communications, energy and infrastructure, homes, health facilities and schools.

Additionally, some of these countries face challenges to respond with adequate measures due to limited institutional capacity, scarce financial resources and a high degree of vulnerability to systemic shocks.

Industries that constitute a major part of the GDP of small island economies, such as tourism and fisheries are based on the island’s highly valued ecosystems which demonstrates the importance of preventing the degradation of biodiversity that can result from climate change, soil erosion, pollution, floods, natural disasters amongst others.

In some cases, the overall vulnerability situation is worsened by salinization and poor water management, soil water logging (through volcanic ash), deforestation, soil erosion and landslides.

UN-Habitat’s portfolio for SIDS under the ROAf Resilience Programme (Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sao Tomé and Principe, Cabo Verde and Guinea Bissau) as well as Madagascar manages projects in thematic areas around Urban Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation.

The nature of these programmes vary from sub-regional projects strengthening Urban Climate Resilience including a mix of city-level infrastructure projects and national-level capacity-building; normative and legislative technical assistance to national entities to improve national policies and planning codes to include urban resilience and DRR; green, pro-poor and resilient Covid-19 post-recovery initiatives; empowering of informal communities to integrate Nature-based Solutions and Ecosystem-based Adaptation in their resilience building efforts; and various sub-regional initiatives leveraging the potential of digital technology to transform and enhance urban space and encourage the connectivity between insular governments.

The internship in the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) is for 6 months.

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

Under the overall supervision of the Human Settlements Officer (HSO) in the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf), the Urban Resilience Programme Support Intern will contribute to the implementation of multiple projects aiming to reinforce local urban resilience in the framework of sub-regional and country programmes for the above-mentioned African SIDS and Madagascar.

Furthermore, support is needed within UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) for undertaking the implementation of activities in the Central Sahel (Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal), aiming at strengthening the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus in the region, which includes the development of a Regional Assessment on the System of Cities of the Sahel
and the implementation of the City Resilience Action Planning (CityRAP) Tool.

More specifically, the following activities should be carried:

  • Familiarize him/herself with UN-Habitat’s mandate and the tools developed;

  • Support the City Resilience Action Planning (CityRAP) Tool implementation in various secondary cities;

  • Support the Human Settlement Officer (HSO) and the Urban Resilience Programme Specialist in implementing the project activities both in the sub-regional projects and several country programmes for the SIDS portfolio, Madagascar and the Sahel;

  • Support the development of new projects and fund-raising proposals, and undertaking research regarding urban resilience, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction;

  • Perform other tasks as needed, including but not limited to note taking, drafting minutes, translations, attendance to meetings, related to the activities and projects falling under the urban resilience, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation portfolio in ROAf.

    Candidates from the region are highly encouraged to apply.

    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.

  • 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.

    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).

  • 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:

  • Urban or Town Planning, Architecture, Social Science, Economics, Geography, International Development or any other relevant field of study.

    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.

  • Experience in communication, writing, graphic design and proficiency in computer software applications is desirable.

  • Interest in the thematic of urban resilience and the motivation to work in the sub-Saharan Africa region is required.

    Languages

  • Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

    How to Apply

    For more information and job application details, see; United Nations Human Settlements Programme Intern - Social Media & Communications Jobs in Kenya

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