This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in urban planning and design within an international development context. The intern will contribute to a project focused on gender-sensitive approaches to urban planning and climate resilience, working alongside experienced professionals and contributing to meaningful change in Nepalese municipalities.
About
About the Project Office
UNOPS, Cities Alliance, and UN-Habitat are implementing an EU and Finland-funded project, “Cities 4 Women: Inclusive and Climate Resilient Urbanization in Nepal”. The project focuses on improving the participatory aspects of existing urban planning processes in municipalities, giving women and girls the opportunity to share their lived experiences in the city (including accessibility, services, and use of public open spaces), and exploring possible solutions to the challenges they face. The project aims to identify key strategic interventions that could improve the lives and opportunities, not only of women in urban areas but of all residents.
Role Purpose
The Engineer Intern (Urban Planner and Designer - International Intern) will support the implementation of the Cities 4 Women project, contributing to research, analysis, documentation, and stakeholder engagement activities. The intern will assist in the preparation of urban profiles, maps, charts, and reports, and support the organization of consultations and workshops related to the project.
Functions / Key Results Expected
- Research and Analysis
- Conduct desk research on urban planning, gender equality, and climate resilience in the context of Nepalese municipalities.
- Perform field surveys to gather data on urban spaces, accessibility, and the experiences of women and girls in the city.
- Support the analysis of data collected through research and surveys, preparing maps, charts, and reports to visualize findings.
- Documentation and Reporting
- Document inspiring practices on public open spaces and relevant project benchmarks.
- Report on meetings, panel sessions, conferences, and other events related to the project.
- Assist in the preparation of project development documents, formulations, and publications related to urban issues, especially on participatory planning processes and the participatory design of public open spaces.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Workshop Support
- Assist in organizing and conducting stakeholder and public consultations, and urban design workshops related to the project.
- Support the facilitation of participatory planning processes, ensuring the inclusion of diverse perspectives, particularly those of women and girls.
- Project Support and Knowledge Management
- Undertake other activities that would support the work of the project, including communications and knowledge management.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of project-related knowledge products and resources.
- Continuous interaction with colleagues, exchange of information, seeking cooperation, resolving routine administrative and process problems, referring complex issues to the supervisor with recommendations for the course of action.
The internship provides opportunities to develop skills in project management, evidence-based urban planning and financial oversight. Interns will have access to UNOPS online training tools and are encouraged to participate in learning events organized by UNOPS and other UN agencies in Kathmandu, particularly those focused on gender equality, climate change, DRR, and inclusive urban development. This experience will help build knowledge, networks, and practical skills relevant to a career in international development.
Participation in missions or training courses:
In addition to accessing UNOPS online training courses and tools, the Intern is encouraged to attend and participate in learning events organized by UNOPS and other UN agencies in Kathmandu, especially on administration.
Education Requirements
- Should be enrolled in a university program such as a Bachelor, Master's in architecture or urban planning and design. Candidates who have graduated from a University programme within the last 3 years by the date of the application will also be considered.
- A focus on urban planning and the design of public open spaces is highly desirable.
Experience Requirements
- Strong computer literacy in Google Suite applications or equivalent MS Office standard programs, in particular proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, is required.
- GIS software(ESRI or similar) is an advantage.
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and others.
- The internship is for 6 months with no possibility of extension and will provide opportunities for exposure to urban planning and design of secondary cities in Nepal, evidence-based infrastructure planning, project identification, and sustainability.
- Priority would have students with experience in organizing and/or participating in architecture and urban planning and design competitions, as well as those who have published written works on cities in journals, online platforms, etc.
