In-person, Nairobi, Kenya

6 months

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the mandated UN Agency working towards a sustainable urbanization and human settlements. UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries supporting people in cities and human settlements for a better urban future. The agency has been focusing on urban development for over 40 years. Working with governments and local partners, its high impact projects combine world-class expertise and local knowledge to deliver timely and targeted solutions. Within UN Habitat, the Urban Practices Branch supports governments and local authorities with tested approaches, guidelines, and tools to plan the growth of cities in an inclusive, sustainable, and future-proof way, in tune with social, cultural, economic, and environmental concerns and particularities. The Branch has five areas of work which are closely related: (1) Policy, Legislation and Governance, (2) Urban Basic Services, (3) Land, Housing and Shelter, (4) Planning, Finance and Economic Development, and (5) Human Rights and Social Inclusion. The work of the Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) focuses on a broader framework through different scales (metropolitan, regional, national and trans-national). The Section plays a critical role in implementing the Agency’s Strategic Plan, flagship programmes, the relevant Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. The Section works with and in collaboration with other parts of the agency (both at Headquarters and in the field) to support national and local governments and partners. The Section fosters high impact initiatives, programmes and projects that draw from its world-class expertise and knowledge to deliver timely, fit-for-purpose and targeted solutions. The Section serves as the Agency’s focal point and global solutions center of excellence on Urban Policy, Legislation and Governance. The Section conducts activities in knowledge management, tools and frameworks development, capacity building, policy dialogue, and advisory services. One of the ways that UN-Habitat is supporting Member states to put in place sustainable, inclusive and people-centered approaches in urban development is through National Urban Polices, regulatory frameworks and other tools development. PLGS plays a key role in supporting the delivery of the following intervention areas: 1. National Urban Policies from pre-feasibility, diagnostic, development, implementation to monitoring and tracking progress. 2. Regulatory and legislative tools and support to Member States on a range of topics relevant to UN-Habitat. 3. Metropolitan and City-region studies including in development of corridors, clusters and systems of cities and promotion of a green economy, smart city approach and urban-rural linkages. 4. Urban-Rural Linkages; developing tools and implementing territorial approaches. 5. Developing documents, pilot/test and disseminate norms, standards, tools, methodologies, regulatory frameworks, operating procedures, and inspiring practices at global, regional, national and sub-national levels. 6. Designing tailored-made solutions on policy, legislative and governance for cities, regions and metropolitan development, enhance urban-rural continuum, with the view to reduce spatial inequality and poverty and increase shared prosperity. 7. Generating and managing cutting-edge knowledge and data (including Indexes and database) on Policy, Legislation and Governance. PLGS is currently recruiting two (2) interns to assist with its portfolio in 2025 on legislation and governance. This position is located in UN-Habitat Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (UN-Habitat/GSD/UPB/PLGS) in Nairobi, Kenya and under the general supervision of the Chief of the Section and the direct supervision of the Human Settlement Officer (PLGS). Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background, the intern's assigned office, and the internship period. Under the direct supervision of the Human Settlement Officer (PLGS), the intern will: • Assist in conducting research and studies on various urban law and governance topics such as urban planning law, housing law, public participation, and climate-smart urban planning legislation. • Provide proactive and responsive support to ongoing and upcoming projects, ensuring smooth implementation and overcoming any challenges that may arise. • Conduct in-depth analysis and presentation of data collected from diverse sources, offering valuable insights for informed decision-making. • Contribute to written outputs, draft background papers, reports, and studies, and actively participate in developing publications on such topics as housing, land, and property rights, urban law assessment, and the land law assessment report. • Assist in the population and maintenance of the UrbanLex database, ensuring its accuracy and relevance as a comprehensive resource in the field of urban law. • Applying the Section's toolkits, ensuring their seamless integration and maximizing their impact in urban law and governance practices; Actively contributing to the enhancement of the Section's toolkits, incorporating any feedback and innovative approaches to maintain their relevance and effectiveness. • Contribute to the creation of communication materials and updates for the Section's websites, fostering effective communication and dissemination of information. • Organize expert group meetings, consultative sessions, conferences, and other events, support outreach activities, and promote knowledge-sharing within the urban law community. • Produce a personal project that aligns with the goals and objectives of the Section, contributing to the overall mission of advancing knowledge and understanding in urban law and governance. • Undertake any other duties as may be required to ensure the Section's effective functioning and the successful implementation of its initiatives.

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: The candidate(s) must be currently pursuing or have recently attained an advanced university degree in one of the following fields: Law, governance, international relations, or diplomacy Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Experience working on urban law issues is required. Do you have experience in carrying out research on urban law and/or governance related to the thematic areas of urban planning, land, climate change, and housing, among others? Please explain. Experience in undertaking legal review and analysis is required. Do you have experience in the review and analysis of legal texts? Please explain by providing examples. Experience in organizing events is desirable. Do you have experience organizing events (e.g., expert group meetings, consultative and other meetings and conferences) or supporting outreach activities? Please explain.

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

Not available.

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.