Intern - Urban and Community Development Specialist

Job Description

Work Location

• In-person, Bujumbura, Burundi

Expected Duration

• 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Org. Setting and Reporting

• The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) promotes socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities.
• UN-Habitat supports inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable communities and urbanization.
• Operates in over 90 countries, managing a wide portfolio focused on sustainable urban development.
• In Burundi, UN-Habitat supports:
• • Planned urbanization, housing, and reduction of inequalities
  • Climate change mitigation and community resilience
• Aligned with:
  • SDGs
  • New Urban Agenda
  • AU Agenda 2063
  • Burundi’s Vision 2040 and National Development Plan (2018–2027)
• Interventions focus on:
  • Access to adequate housing
  • Urban planning and land management
  • Informal settlement upgrading
  • Basic service delivery
  • Climate adaptation
  • Promotion of sustainable livelihoods
• Provides technical assistance, capacity building, and supports slum upgrading via participatory approaches.
• Supports UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

Internship Role

• Graduate-level internship (urban planning, housing, geography, environment, or related fields)
• Unpaid, full-time, six-month assignment based in Bujumbura
• Reports to Programme Management Officer (PMO), Regional Office for Africa

Responsibilities

• Assist in identifying community opportunities and translating them into project concepts.
• Support partner/donor meetings by drafting briefing notes and presentations.
• Develop and disseminate communication and outreach tools.
• Support UN-Habitat’s engagement in UN frameworks and country team coordination.
• Monitor indicators, compile data, and track partner feedback.
• Assist in preparing technical layouts, drawings, and specifications.
• Support fieldwork, including site inspections and consultations.
• Collect and process data for analysis using technical principles.
• Contribute to policy research, reports, and technical notes.
• Support capacity-building activities, workshops, and engagement efforts.
• Produce knowledge products, best practice reports, and case studies.
• Develop communication materials, including digital content and newsletters.
• Support website and social media engagement.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for events and field missions.
• Perform additional assignments as needed.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• Must meet one of the following:
• • Enrolled in a graduate program (Master’s or higher)
  • Final year of undergraduate degree (minimum Bachelor’s)
  • Recently graduated (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD)
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office
• Demonstrated interest in UN values and mission
• Able to interact respectfully with diverse cultures and viewpoints
• Preferred fields: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Community Mobilization, Public Health, Geography
• PowerPoint skills required for workshop facilitation
• Effective communication skills in French; English desirable

Languages

• Fluency in French (written and oral) is required
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable

Additional Information

• Internship is unpaid
• Intern is responsible for:
• • Travel
  • Visa arrangements
  • Accommodation and living expenses
• Non-residents may need to obtain appropriate work/visa authorization
• Previous UN internship experience should be disclosed, including agency and dates

Deadline : Aug 13, 2025