All Things Urban

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, helping a range of partners implement $1 billion worth of aid and development projects every year. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

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. 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 2018-2021 Strategic Plan, with a recalibrated business model combining 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 get exposed to learning and professional development. For the duration of their internship, interns will be members of project 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 any, or a combination, of the following themes (list non-exhaustive – more information can be found on www.citiesalliance.org): Corporate Areas: - Communications and Websites - Business Development and Fundraising - Knowledge Management Programmatic Areas: Inclusive, gender-responsive and sustainable urban development, urban legal and land policies framework, urban governance and planning, urban services and infrastructure, citizenship and social inclusion, urban economy and environment. The Secretariat will assign successful candidates to either corporate and/or programmatic areas 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.

- Provide operational assistance to project teams. - Carry out research and analysis to support project implementation or other business needs. - Assist with information and knowledge management. - Assist with the organisation of international events, global dialogues and workshops. - Draft articles on key themes, emerging trends and achievements. Provide inputs to concept notes and synthesize research findings. - Draft briefing notes, talking points, power point presentations and assist with communication and dissemination. - Perform other related duties as required.

Education: - All 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 experience and exposure is desirable. Languages: - Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages would be considered an asset.

Contract type: Internship Contract level: N/A Contract duration: 6 months with possible extension, Applicants with the proven right to live and work in Belgium and the EU are highly encouraged to apply. 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. 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. Further, UNOPS may provide a one time travel lump sum of 500 USD. However, they must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and necessary visa arrangements.

This job is available for international candidates.