In-person, Nairobi, Kenya

6 months

Org. 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. 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. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. The purpose of the Global Solutions Division (GSD) is to provide programmatic directions for the delivery of the Strategic Plan of UN-Habitat, in line with the New Urban Agenda. The Division leads the production of tools and methodologies and the integration of the substantive competencies towards effective delivery of the Strategic Plan. The GSD Front Office is responsible of the overall coordination of the key functions of the Global Solutions Division, including: • development of norms, standards, tools, methodologies and regulatory frameworks on sustainable urbanization at global, regional and national level; • technical support to the testing and dissemination of tools, methodology and norms through pilot programmes and projects and support the strengthening of the capacity of government at all levels; • technical and policy advice on approaches and methodologies to UN-Habitat Regional and Country Offices and to governments and partners; • develop appropriate integrated global approaches in line with the Strategic Plan that respond to Member States and donors’ needs and requests; • programme development support to UN-Habitat Regional and Country Offices, and other Division to ensure high-quality efficient programme design and delivery of impacts; • support response to humanitarian crisis in urban contexts. Responsibilities Under the overall guidance of the Division Director and under the direct supervision of the Human Settlements Officer, Office of the Director, the incumbent will support the duties and responsibilities under four focus areas of the Director’s Office, including but not limited to: 1. Support the Front Office with effective internal coordination and cooperation within GSD Support and facilitate the work of GSD’s coordination modalities and regular meetings, such as: • the work of the GSD Focal Points to the Regional Programmes Division • organization of the annual Global Solutions Division Retreat in January 2026 • collection of GSD inputs to internal documents, reports and ad hoc product 2. Assist the Front Office in strategic engagement of GSD with other Divisions and Offices of UN-Habitat (Regional Programmes Division, Global Knowledge and Advocacy Division, Corporate Management Division, and the Office of the Executive Director) Support GSD to advance UN-Habitat in inter-Divisional collaboration regarding: • GSD’s support to the Programme Review Committee’s (PRC) functions • assist the Front Office in the finalization and dissemination of UN-Habitat’s 2026 catalogue of services, including the consolidation of content and formatting, liaison with designers on layout and design aspects, and contribute to the drafting of communication and dissemination materials • facilitation support to the Front Office in finalization of its inputs to the Implementation Strategy of the Strategic Plan (SP) 2026-2029 and to other corporate documents as relevant • advancement of the new generation of UN-Habitat’s Communities of Practices (CoPs) Support GSD’s preparations and participation in the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) in Baku in May 2026: • support the Front Office’s role in the WUF Sub-Committees 2 and 5 and other working groups and in the WUF event planning and organizing as relevant Support the Front Office’s contribution to the UN-Habitat’s Publication Board: • assist the Front Office in its role in the preparation of the World Cities Report, the 3rd Quadrennial Report and other ad hoc publication review process as relevant. 3. Assist the Front Office in GSD’s contributions to the UN Development System collaboration and intergovernmental processes Support GSD’s input to the work of the UN-Habitat’s Secretariat of Governing Bodies (SGB) and to intergovernmental meetings of UN-Habitat: • Assist the preparations of and inputs to the Executive Board (EB) meetings, Ad hoc Working Group (AHWG) meetings, the Open-ended WG on Housing (OEWG-H), as relevant, UN Habitat Assembly (UNHA), and Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda 2026 (MTR of NUA). Support GSD in the management of UN Development Account (UNDA)-funded project monitoring 4. Contribute to the Front Office’s support to the work of the Director of the GSD Support substantive preparation for meetings of the Division Director: • Perform background research and document review for preparation of talking points and presentations of the Director and Front Office staff.

Applicants must at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent), c. Have graduated with Bachelor's degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent. Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite). Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter. Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. Preferred areas of study: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, law, social, economic, political science, development studies, urban planning or related field is required. Ability to internalize and summarize large amounts of information effectively and correctly is required. Ability to plan and organize complex multistakeholder processes is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in both oral and written English and French is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable

Do you have any previous UN internship experience? If yes, please indicate the UN entity and the specific dates.

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.