Intern - Water Operators’ Partnership (Hybrid)

Job Description

Internship – Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), UN-Habitat

Work Location
Hybrid, Bonn, Germany

Expected Duration
6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

• 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, promoting urbanization as a positive transformative force.
• The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), led by UN-Habitat, is an international network created in 2009 to support Water Operator’s Partnerships (WOPs)—peer support partnerships aimed at enhancing the capacity and performance of water and sanitation operators.
• The GWOPA Secretariat implements strategies and annual work plans in collaboration with partners to scale up WOPs and improve service delivery.
• The Secretariat is currently hosted by the Government of Germany.
• The intern will report to a professional staff of GWOPA under the overall supervision of the Officer-in-Charge.

Intern Responsibilities

• Work on current issues facing global water and sanitation operators and explore linkages between capacity development, partnerships, and service improvements.
• A tailored work plan will be developed depending on the intern’s background and GWOPA’s needs.
• Contribute to one or more of the following areas:
• • Support planning, implementation, and reporting of GWOPA projects.
  • Assist in knowledge development, documentation, and managing communities of practice.
  • Support preparation of global outreach and learning events.
  • Maintain databases for monitoring WOPs and water operators.
  • Assist in project budgeting and financial management.
  • Support event preparation for Global WOP Congress, COP30, and EU Enablers meeting.
• Specific duties may include:
  • Preparing draft concept/background/position papers.
  • Developing project concept notes and briefs for resource mobilization.
  • Managing and analyzing data.
  • Conducting research on water and sanitation topics.
  • Supporting communication and information management efforts.
  • Helping manage websites and draft newsletters.
  • Supporting the preparation, implementation, and follow-up of events/workshops.
  • Assisting in program administration, budgeting, and financial management.
  • Supporting the 6th Global WOP Congress session.
  • Facilitating Urban Water Resilience Track participation at COP30.
  • Contributing to knowledge compilation and case studies for WOP in climate change.
  • Organizing the EU Enablers meeting.
  • Performing other assignments related to GWOPA’s work programme.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• Must meet one of the following:
• • Enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or higher).
  • Enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme.
  • Recently graduated with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree.
• Computer literate in standard applications (Microsoft Office Suite).
• Demonstrated interest in the UN’s work and commitment to the UN Charter.
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Preferred fields of study: Water and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Urban Development, Urban Planning, Urban Environment, Communications/Journalism, Business/Accounting, Development Studies.
• Design software skills are desirable.
• No professional experience is required, but academic or practical exposure to the field of the internship is essential.
• Experience in project coordination, especially event planning or knowledge management, is desirable.
• Familiarity with water, sanitation, climate change, or urban development issues is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Additional Information

• Internship is unpaid. Interns are responsible for travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses.
• Interns must arrange appropriate visa/work authorization if not residents of the host country.
• Successful candidates should confirm visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

Deadline : Jun 3, 2025