Work Location
In-person, Prishtina, Kosovo
Expected duration
6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
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. UN-Habitat Kosovo has been active since 1999, supporting central and local authorities in areas such as spatial planning, housing, governance, and inclusive urban development. Within its current programme portfolio, UN-Habitat is partnering with the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (MESPI) to strengthen the housing sector in Kosovo. This cooperation focuses on generating data and evidence for housing policy, identifying good practices in social and affordable housing, and enhancing institutional capacities for sustainable housing and community development. The internship is part of this joint initiative with MESPI and provides a unique opportunity for students or recent graduates to contribute to housing research, policy support, and stakeholder engagement. The intern will be based in the UN-Habitat Office in Prishtina and will report directly to the Spatial Planning Advisor & Housing Planner, under the overall guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor. The intern will also contribute to activities implemented in close coordination with MESPI and other local partners. Responsibilities • Support the collection, organization, and analysis of data relevant to the housing sector in Kosovo, including affordability, social housing, and sustainable housing practices. • Assist in identifying and documenting good practices in housing policy and programmes in Kosovo and the wider region. • Contribute to the preparation of policy briefs, background papers, reports, and knowledge products on housing and sustainable development. • Support the preparation and organization of meetings, focus groups, and workshops with MESPI, municipalities, and other stakeholders, including reporting and minute-taking. • Assist in developing and maintaining a housing stakeholder and contact database for Kosovo. • Contribute to communication and outreach activities, including drafting website news, social media content, and presentations. • Provide logistical and administrative support for programme implementation, and perform other housing-related tasks as required.
Qualifications/special skills
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: Housing Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Urban or Spatial Planning, or Architecture. Other closely related fields may also be considered where the academic background demonstrates relevance to housing, social policy, or sustainable urban development. In addition, successful applicants are expected to have demonstrated ability in one or more areas listed below: Applicants are not required to have prior professional work experience. However, they should demonstrate academic knowledge or project-based experience in housing studies, social sciences, urban planning, development studies, or related disciplines. Proficiency in standard computer applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required. Familiarity with housing policy, data analysis tools (Excel, SPSS, STATA), GIS applications, or design software is desirable. Experience with research, stakeholder engagement, or cooperation with government institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (MESPI) is desirable. 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. Proficiency in computer software applications is required. Please explain how you meet this criterion, providing examples from your academic or extracurricular work. Knowledge of housing policy, housing rights, or related research tools is desirable. Please describe your level of understanding and provide examples of how you have applied this knowledge in your studies or projects.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Additional Information
Do you have any previous UN internship experience? If yes, please indicate the UN entity and the specific dates.
Intern Specific text
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.
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.
