Job Description
Work Location
- In-person, Luanda, Angola
Expected Duration
Duties and Responsibilities
Organizational 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. It 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 that reduces inequality, discrimination, and poverty.
UN-Habitat operates in more than 90 countries and is progressively strengthening its presence in São Tomé and Príncipe, with a strategy to contribute to urban and housing policy development, spatial planning, waste management, and disaster risk reduction.
Its main strategic priorities include:
- Controlled urbanization and housing, and better distribution of activities in the territory.
- Climate change resilience and strengthening of community preparedness.
The cooperation program between UN-Habitat and Angola aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda (NUA), and the African Union Agenda 2063. UN-Habitat’s focus in Angola includes:
- Sustainable urbanization and housing
- Climate change adaptation
- Improved livelihoods and community resilience
- Slum upgrading and waste management
- Support to local and regional government and decentralization
Angola’s urban population—about 67% of the national total—is concentrated in major cities such as Luanda, Benguela, Huambo, and Lubango. UN-Habitat collaborates with the Government of Angola through initiatives such as the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) and supports the National Urban Development Policy aligned with the UNSDCF and National Development Plan.
To advance these goals, UN-Habitat seeks a Sustainable Urban Development and Housing Intern (focused on housing, spatial planning, environment, or climate risk management) for six months in Luanda. The internship is non-paid and full-time in accordance with UN rules.
Under the supervision of the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) Programme Management Officer, the intern will:
- Assist in identifying opportunities within communities and translating problems into project concepts.
- Support resource mobilization efforts.
- Prepare and participate in meetings with potential partners and donors.
- Develop and disseminate communication and outreach tools to stakeholders and donors.
- Support general implementation of UN-Habitat’s portfolio and engagement under UN Cooperation Frameworks.
- Track key indicators, monitor reports, and coordinate feedback with regional offices.
- Prepare layouts, engineering calculations, design drawings, specifications, and visual materials.
- Support fieldwork related to urban development, housing, and site inspections.
- Collect and integrate technical and spatial data for analysis.
- Develop outreach and communication materials.
- Support website and social media engagement.
- Assist in identifying sustainable solid waste management practices in urban communities.
- Help design and test community-based recycling and circular economy initiatives.
- Collect and analyze data on waste streams, generation, and disposal in selected urban centers.
- Contribute to reports, guidelines, and awareness materials related to waste management.
- Coordinate with municipalities, private operators, and local stakeholders on waste management solutions.
- Perform other duties relevant to the Regional Office for Africa as required.
Qualifications / Special Skills
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application:
- Enrolled in a graduate school programme (Master’s level or equivalent).
- Enrolled in the final academic year of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Recently graduated with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree.
Additional requirements:
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and commitment to the UN Charter ideals.
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments and interact respectfully across cultures.
Preferred fields of study:
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Urban Planning
- Community Mobilization
- Public Health
- Geography
- Environmental Engineering or Science
- Waste Management
Desired skills and competencies:
- Proficiency in Portuguese and French (English is a strong asset).
- Initiative and ability to keep supervisors informed of progress.
- Strong skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, photo, and video editing software is an advantage.
- Excellent organizational and planning abilities.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
Applicants are not required to have prior professional experience, but a relevant field of study is essential.
As the intern will help organize workshops, the ability to prepare PowerPoint presentations is required. The role involves information sharing with diverse stakeholders, requiring fluency in Portuguese, proficiency in French, and preferably English.
Languages
- Required: Fluency in oral and written Portuguese.
- Desirable: Knowledge of another UN official language, especially English or French.
Additional Information
Applicants with previous UN internship experience should specify the UN entity and dates of service in their application.
Internship Conditions
- Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations.
- All costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the intern’s or sponsoring institution’s responsibility.
- Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the host country may need a visa or work authorization.
- Selected candidates must confirm visa and travel arrangements before starting the internship.
Deadline : Oct 24, 2025
