Intern (Multiple in Cities Alliance), Multiple positions

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.

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.

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

Candidate are strongly encouraged to submit a motivation letter with the indication of any corporate or thematic area of particular interest.


Contract type: Internship
Contract level: N/A
Contract duration: 6 months with possible extension, 

Interns should confirm that they are fit specifically for the duty station conditions, as certified by a medical practitioner. The Interns are responsible for receiving clearance from a medical doctor to travel and perform this internship. 

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.