Intern - Statistics (Global Urban Observatory), Nairobi

Closing date: Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Posting Title: INTERN - STATISTICS (Global Urban Observatory), I

Job Code Title: INTERN - STATISTICS

Department/ Office: United Nations Human Settlements Programme

Duty Station: NAIROBI

Posting Period: 22 June 2015-7 July 2015

Job Opening number: 15-STT-UNHABITAT-44158-R-NAIROBI (O)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

Your application for this internship must include;

1. A Completed application (Personal History Profile) through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In your Personal History Profile (PHP), be sure to include all past work experiences, IT Skills, and three references.
2. An accompanying letter (cover note) that includes; Title of degree you are currently studying, Graduation date (when you will be graduating from the programme), List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in using, and Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship and what you hope to gain from the internship.
3. A letter from your university clearly indicating the status of your enrollment, what programme you are enrolled in and the anticipated date of graduation from the programme.
4. A certified copy of degree certificate (if already graduated).

Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

The Global Urban Observatory coordinates the Monitoring of the Habitat Agenda and the Millennium Development Goals as well as the implementation of the Agency Strategic and Institutional Plans such as the Medium-Term Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP) for 2008-2013. GUO coordinates all activities pertaining to the production of reliable and up-to-date urban indicators at regional, country and city levels, including slum settlements that address the challenges of rapid urbanization and human settlements issues in the world.

The strategy of GUO is to both address the immediate demands for monitoring, while developing systems and capacity for medium and long term needs. GUO addresses the sub-national information needs through two programmes on monitoring the Habitat Agenda and the MDGs, the Urban Indicators Programme (UIP), and the Monitoring Urban Inequities Programme (MUIP).

GUO is in charge of preparing indicators for the new priority areas- Urban Planning, Urban Legislation and Urban Economy. In order to strengthen alignment and cohesion of the global urban indicators programme in respect with the new priority areas, the Global Urban Observatory Section is preparing a new strategic approach of data collection. The new approach pursues a two-pronged strategy. First, to continue with the established programmes for the Habitat Agenda and the MDGs on collecting and reporting on official city statistics by reforming the Urban Indicators Programme (UIP); Two, to branch out into new directions to better address the monitoring of Urban Planning, Urban Economy and Urban Legislation.

GUO is setting up a long-term global monitoring system that provides reliable, credible and internationally comparable data for the new priority areas. The system will pursue two main goals: 1) to deepen and broaden the understanding of urban planning, urban economy and urban legislation; 2) to strengthen global, national and local capacities to collect and analyze urban indicators at the people, land and policy levels. All will be integrated to the existing global monitoring system of the Habitat Agenda and the MDGs. The Urban Info software, an integrated population-GIS system developed by GUO in 2006 will be further strengthened.

The UN-Habitat - Global Urban Observatory unit internship is for 3 months with an opportunity for extension, depending on the needs of the department.

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.

Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Chief, Global Urban Observatory, Research and Capacity Development Branch, the main activities of the intern will include;

1. To assist in coordination and logistics related to the project 'ATLAS of Urban Expansion' done in collaboration with the University of New York and Lincoln Institute:

• Liaise with country projects to advance the preparation of surveys;
• Revise and process inputs and data from country projects. 2. Prepare promotion material related to the CPI as part of collaboration with International City Leaders in Canada:
• Prepare a brochure;
• Contact partners and cities interested in this initiative. Send material and coordinate its integration into CPI

Competencies

Core 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
• 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 view
• Establishes 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

Technological Awareness

• Keeps abreast of available technology
• Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office
• Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks
• Shows willingness to learn new technology

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 a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
• Be computer literate in standard software applications.
• Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
• Have a demonstrated the 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.
• Studies in statistics and data analysis or other relevant areas required.

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 the internship, fluency in oral and written English and French is required.
• Knowledge of a another official UN language is desirable.

Assessment Method

Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

No Fee

THE 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.