Programme Management Intern

Work Location: In-Person, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

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 UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa (ROAF) supports African countries developing human settlements projects to address fast urbanization of the continent and achieve sustainable development by focusing on challenges faced by cities in Africa.

In recent years, the Côte d’Ivoire Country Office was marked by the reinforcement of the organization's presence within the UN ecosystem and the facilitation and strengthening of dialogue with several continental and regional organizations, such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) headquarter. The Cote d’Ivoire portfolio has recently increased with active projects in waste management, housing, climate change and costal resilience. Moreover, recently an MoU was signed between UN HABITAT and the Government of Cote d’Ivoire to strengthen the areas of collaboration in various sectors as assistance on housing and urban policy development. Also, various interaction between UN-Habitat and the District of Abidjan happened on the issue of slums upgrading. Beyond the management of ongoing projects, the resource mobilization and application to calls for proposal remain a key element of the country office. Therefore, additional support is needed in the framework UN Habitat activities in Cote d’Ivoire.

The above mentioned project “Improving resilience for coastal communities in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana was launched in September 2024 and is implemented in these two countries with the operational support of three executing entities. That project will require a high level of commitment and coordination with the stakeholders. The intern under the supervision of the project manager, will support on various tasks related to project monitoring and evaluation, support field monitoring visits and reporting. UN-Habitat is expanding and developing its presence in those countries and needs support for its pro-gramme implementation. The intern will support the implementation and monitoring of technical cooperation activities in the following areas:

• Climate adaptation
• Slums upgrading
• Housing and Urban policy
• biodiversity and natural resources management
• Technical Writing and support of the report preparation

The internship position is located at the UN-Habitat Country Office in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The intern will work closely with the UN-Habitat’s team working at the ROAf when needed. The intern will participate in the management and visibility of projects/ programmes. He/She will report to the Country Manager. The intern will be responsible for providing substantive and administrative support for the development and implementation of UN-Habitat’s portfolio in Cote d’Ivoire, within the Regional Representation for Africa and the Hub of West Africa.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Program Management Officer, the intern will contribute in the following ways:

• Provide substantive support in the implementation of the Improved resilience of coastal communities in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, financed by Adaptation Fund.
• Provide administrative support to the work unit in the preparation of various project documents such as work plans, budgets, reports, and proposals on program implementation arrangements.
• Participate in the planning, preparation and implementation of meetings, workshops, conferences, expert group meetings.
• Identify sources, gather and compile data and information for the preparation of documents, guidelines, and other material as required.
• Participate in writing project concept note in the framework of resource mobilization.

COMMUNICATION

• Assist with text editions of reports, articles, and concept notes as per request.
• Support the elaboration of power point presentations related to UN-Habitat mandates.
• Draft maps, dashboards and diagrams.
• Assist in the development of UN-Habitat urban planning policy documents, guidelines, information materials and presentations through identification and review of relevant publications and documents, drafting and commenting on documents.
• Support Communication and Visibility activities (publications, presentations, catalogues, folders, brochures, videos, online and handbooks regarding all the projects and areas UN-Habitat works).
• Collect and share information on risk monitoring in the implementation of projects / programmes.
• Any other tasks requested by the country team.

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: Bachelors or Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Town Planning, Architecture, Geography 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. Knowledge in the thematic of urban development is required. Proficiency in the use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) using tools such as QGIS and ArcGIS for mapping and spatial analysis is desirable.

Languages

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

Additional Information

Do you have any previous UN internship experience? If yes, please indicate the UN entity and the specific dates.

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