Urban Development, Housing and Solid Waste Management Intern

In-Person OR Hybrid, Luanda, Angola

6 months

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 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 organization operates in more than 90 countries around the world and manages a wide range of projects and programs. With regard to its wide portfolio, UN-Habitat, is progressively strengthening its presence in the São Tome and Príncipe and has developed a strategy aimed at contributing to the development of an urban and housing policy, developed in coordination with the national spatial planning framework, waste management and disaster risk reduction. This objective is broken down into two (02) priority axis: (i) Controlled urbanization, housing, and better distribution of activities in the territory; (ii) Climate change and strengthening resilience in communities. The country program of cooperation between UN-Habitat and Angola is based on the major challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals, on the guidelines adopted within the framework of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and on the African Union's Agenda 2063. UN-Habitat’s interventions in Angola are yet to be operationalized, but they aim to focus on sustainable urbanization, housing, climate change, improved livelihoods, community resilience, Slum upgrading, waste management, Local/Regional Government, and decentralization. Angola's urban population is predominantly concentrated in major cities, with the capital, Luanda, alone hosting over 8 million inhabitants—nearly a third of the country's total population. Other significant urban centers include Benguela, Huambo, and Lubango, which are experiencing rapid growth due to rural-to-urban migration and natural population increase. With a total population estimated at over 36 million, approximately 67% reside in urban areas. UN-Habitat collaborates with Angola to promote sustainable and inclusive urban development through initiatives like the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP). The government is also in the process of formulating a National Urban Development Policy to align with the National Development Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). To support the implementation of its interventions, contributing to the development of an urban and housing policy, developed in coordination with the national spatial planning framework, solid waste management, and disaster risk reduction. UN-Habitat is looking for a sustainable urban development and housing intern (with a focus on Housing, spatial planning, environment or climate change risk management) for a period of 6 months based in Luanda. In accordance with the rules and recommendations in force within the United Nations, the internship is NON-PAID and full-time. It emphasizes the experience that it could represent for the aspirants. Applicants from Angola are encouraged to apply. The Intern will work under the supervision of the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) Programme Management Officer (PMO) responsible for the Central Africa Sub Regional Office. Responsibilities • Assist in identifying opportunities within communities and translate problems into projects concepts and support resource mobilization. • Support the preparation of meetings with potential partners and donors • Assist in developing communication and outreach tools and ensuring dissemination to projects stakeholders, potential donors, and partners. • Support the general implementation of UN-Habitat portfolio and engagement within the UN Cooperation Frameworks and the UN country team coordination. • Track key indicators and monitor their reports and feedback with partners, including with regional offices; • Assist in preparing layouts, engineering related calculations, design drawings, specifications, and visual aids. • Supporting field work in urban and engineering related components (urban development and housing projects, site inspections). • Assist in collecting and integrating data and applying technical principles and theories to assist in interpreting and analyzing data. • Support the development of communication and outreach tools. • Perform miscellaneous assignments on an as-needed basis. • Assist with website and social media engagement. • Other duties relevant to the candidate and ROAF, as jointly determined. • Support the identification and implementation of sustainable solid waste management practices in urban communities. • Assist in the design and testing of community-based recycling and circular economy initiatives. • Collect and analyze data on waste streams, waste generation, and disposal practices in selected urban centers. • Contribute to the preparation of reports, guidelines and communication materials related to solid waste management, including awareness campaigns and training sessions. • Support coordination with municipalities, private operators, and local stakeholders on integrated solid waste management solutions.

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: Architecture, Civil engineering, Urban planning, Community mobilization, Public Health, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Waste Management, Environmental Science. In addition, successful applicants are expected to have demonstrated ability in one or more areas listed below: • Proficiency in oral and written communication skills in both Portuguese and French Languages is desired. English is an important and considerable option • Ability to work with good sense of initiative to keep the supervisor regularly informed of progress is desired. • Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PPT) required; Adobe Illustrator, photo and video editing software is desired. • Excellent organisational and planning skills is desired. 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. As the Intern will be responsible for organization of workshops, it will be necessary for him/her to be able to make Power Point presentations during workshops and meetings will be required. As the work of the Intern will involve sharing information between the organization and stakeholders, it will be imperative that he/she be able to communicate effectively in Portuguese, French and desirably in English. Excellent communication skills will be required. As the intern will support solid waste management initiatives, familiarity with concepts such as circular economy, recycling, and sustainable waste disposal is desirable. Please explain your knowledge or prior experience in this field.

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

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

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.