Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Aquaculture & Fisheries

The Environment and Development Division, Sustainable Urban Development Section (SUDS) internship is for 2 months with an opportunity for extension up to 6 months, pending on the needs of the department. The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

SUDS in cooperation with EDPS of EDD and other divisions is working to promote regional co-operation and to strengthen regional capacity on water resources management both in urban and rural contexts, towards inclusive sustainable socio-economic development for all in Asia and the Pacific.

Responsibilities:

Under the general guidance of an Associate Environmental Affairs Officer or an Economics Affairs Officer, Sustainable Urban Development Section, the intern will undertake the desk research among the following areas: 

1. Desk research on investment trends in water-related infrastructure in Asia-Pacific, including policy packages and price signals, such as in water pricing, water tariffs and the economics of water and financing schemes, including impact investment. Analytical studies and secondary surveys.
2. Research and analysis on linkages of SDGs related to water, sanitation, and urban development (SDG6 and SDG11) and related case studies.
3. Research and analysis of Water-Food- Energy nexus, with specific focus on water quality and wastewater management in Asia-Pacific in urban, peri-urban and rural settings. 
4. Research on application of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles in Asia-Pacific and integration of systems thinking and its principles in capacity building work.
5. Cost-benefit analysis for provision of water and sanitation services at household level, through data analysis and desk research, including analysis of household surveys (DHS, MICS). 
6. Analysis of holistic and integrated policy packages, including coverage of the choices of the technologies and regulating markets, considering the impacts of climate change on water resources, Green Growth approaches, centralized and decentralized water and sanitation management practices.

Qualifications:

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others
• Places team agenda before personal agenda
• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

Client Orientation:

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
• Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
• Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

Education:

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

• Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: 
  • be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); 
  • be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or 
  • have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one year period of graduation;
• Be computer literate in standard software applications;
• Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for the Internship Programme. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.