Background Information – Job-specific

 

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership for the promotion of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Headquartered in Brussels and supported by a Secretariat, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership – including global organisations of local authorities, national governments, international non-governmental organisations, foundations, knowledge networks and multilateral organisations – which have come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development.

Cities Alliance is a global leader, with a strong track record in grant making, that supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Cities Alliance has a longstanding track record of supporting cities to build longer-term visions and plans for themselves that recognise the value of all residents; attract investment to where it is needed; strengthen basic services, housing, and job opportunities for slum dwellers; help integrate the informal economy into the city supply chains; and sustain the fabric of civil society and societal cohesion in “the last mile” within informal settlements, with specific attention to gender equality and strengthening resilience to climate change.Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, flexible grant-making mechanism with global reach.

Cities Alliance is implementing its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, which conveys the realignment of 20 years of experience in fighting urban poverty and sharpens our focus on tested solutions to the unprecedented challenges that are impacting cities, their informal settlements, and most acutely, the urban poor. Cities Alliance operates through a business model which combines a Global window for normative work and a Country/City window for operations across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the MENA region.

The Cities Alliance Secretariat is recruiting for multiple internship positions and seeking highly motivated, dynamic and skilled interns who will have the opportunity to work with senior and experienced professionals and be exposed to learning and professional development opportunities.

 

Functional Responsibilities

 

For the duration of their internship, interns will be members of their assigned teams, participate in meetings, support specific exercises and provide assistance to meet business needs. Interns may be expected to travel for specific events. Interns will work under the guidance of a Task Manager in a combination of the following themes (list non-exhaustive – more information can be found on www.citiesalliance.org):

Programmatic Areas could include:

• Inclusive, gender-responsive and sustainable urban development
• Urban legal and land policies frameworks
• Urban governance, planning and basic urban services
• Climate resilient urban infrastructure and environment
• Citizenship and social inclusion
• Urban economy and environment;

Corporate Areas could include:

• Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning;;
• Business Development and Fundraising;
• Operations – grants, procurement and portfolio administration
• Communications and Outreach.

The functional responsibilities of the interns would be the following ones:

• Provide operational assistance to the various teams, including supporting procurement and grant-making processes, assisting with the management of deliverables and payments, assisting with planning and budgeting, among others.
• Carry out research and analysis to support project implementation or other business needs.
• Assist with information and knowledge management, including assist with keeping the website updated, drafting design documents and reports and other knowledge pieces, assist with the collection and analysis of data for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning purposes
• Assist with the organisation of international events, global dialogues and workshops, including help drafting agendas, liaising with speakers, assisting with travel arrangements, among others
• Draft articles on key themes, emerging trends and achievements. Provide inputs to concept notes and proposals and synthesize research findings.
• Draft briefing notes, talking points, powerpoint presentations and assist with communication and dissemination.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Training components and learning elements

Interns will have access to a number of UNOPS and UN training and will gain insights into the operational and managerial processes of an international organization.

The Secretariat will assign successful candidates to teams depending on the profiles of the candidates and the business needs. However, kindly state in your motivation letter if any corporate or thematic area is of particular interest.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Applicants must be enrolled in a Master’s Degree or Ph. D. program (or equivalent); or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.
• Area of study and interest should be preferably one of the following: Urban Studies, Business Administration, Development Studies, Economics, Finance, Social Sciences, Political Science, Communications/Journalism or related fields.

Experience

• Applicants are not required to have professional work experience but some international work exposure is desirable.
• Proficiency in using Google Workspace is highly desirable.

Language

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages is considered an asset.

 

Contract type, level and duration – Internship

Contract type: Internship
Contract level: N/A
Contract duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds)

This internship is not designed to lead to a staff position with UNOPS. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of the internship.

Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend from UNOPS provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions.

For more details about UNOPS internships please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Internships-and-volunteering.aspx

Competencies

 

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

 

Additional Information

 

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.