Duties and Responsibilities
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 position is in the Capacity Development Section (CDS), at the Knowledge and Innovation Branch, Global Knowledge and Advocacy Division (GKAD) of UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi. The intern will report to the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Capacity Development Section. The Capacity Development Section (CDS) is responsible for supporting and monitoring the implementation of UN-Habitat’s Capacity Development strategy. Individuals and institutions responsible for making cities sustainable and safe places to live and work in dignity need to have the skills, competencies and tools to steer cities towards a path of sustainable and inclusive urbanization. Capacity development addresses these needs, helping city leaders and institutions to accelerate effective action towards urban sustainability. CDS oversees and enhances the Capacity Development function across the normative and operational activities of UN-Habitat in support of UN-Habitat 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities. This includes finding innovative ways to transform knowledge into learning products, including practical and problem-solving tools that respond to the needs of governments, cities, partners, technical cadres, urban practitioners, and policy makers alike, based on capacity needs assessments. The UN-Habitat Strategic Plan for 2026–2029 focuses on ensuring access to adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, with a strong emphasis on ensuring access to adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, strongly emphasizing transforming informal settlements and slums. It addresses global urban challenges through three key impact areas: promoting equitable and inclusive prosperity to eradicate poverty; enhancing preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstruction in crisis contexts; and advancing environmental sustainability and climate action. The plan emphasizes integrated urban planning, participatory governance, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships to drive sustainable urbanization and improve the lives of people in cities and human settlements worldwide. CDS coordinates engagement with academic and research institutions globally, notably at the World Urban Forum. The Section manages a number of partnerships with training institutions and centers of excellence around the globe. UN-Habitat's training partners range from government agencies to private sectors with the overarching aim to especially equip local governments to better respond to the sustainable urban challenges of their contexts. These partnerships take different forms, but all serve to increase UN-Habitat’s cooperation with training providers and learning institutes to improve the agency’s capacity for knowledge transfer. CDS also manages UN-Habitat Learn, UN-Habitat’s online learning platform. Responsibilities The internship offers an exciting and vibrant learning environment and opportunities for professional growth. The intern will have the opportunity to contribute to the work of CDS in three main focused areas: (1) the planning, design, development, and management of capacity-development projects and programmes focused on sustainable urban development; (2) research and writing of technical background papers and frameworks; and (3) enhanced impact of capacity development products through digital learning platforms - UN-Habitat Learn - and communication tools. The intern will also support partnership management and coordination of the unit’s ongoing projects. Duties may include the following tasks, depending on the profile of the intern and initial discussions with the team and supervisor: 1. Project Management and Event Coordination a. Support the preparation of the World Urban Forum 13 (Baku, May 2026), with a specific focus on the planning and execution of the WUF Academy events. b. Assist in the planning, design, and implementation of capacity development projects at global, regional, and country levels. c. Support the development, distribution, and analysis of internal UN-Habitat surveys regarding capacity development needs and university partnerships. 2. Research and Data Analysis a. Literature and Data: Assist in conducting literature reviews, data collection, and qualitative/quantitative analysis for ongoing research workstreams. b. Technical Intelligence: Aid in synthesizing research findings to inform capacity development support and strategic decision-making. 3. Writing, Editing, and Knowledge Production a. Technical Drafting: Assist in drafting and editing technical papers, reports, background documents, and concept notes. b. Academic Liaison: Support the facilitation of work with university and academia networks, ensuring research is translated into actionable capacity development tools. c. Presentation Support: Prepare high-level presentations and briefing materials for stakeholders and research forums. 4. Project Assistance a. Operations Support: Provide support in developing, tracking, and reporting on project activities to ensure all deadlines and objectives are met. b. Stakeholder Coordination: Assist in communicating with internal and external stakeholders, including scheduling meetings, organizing events, and preparing agendas/minutes. c. Documentation Management: Support the systematic organization of project documentation, plans, and reports for audit and knowledge-sharing purposes. 5. Collaborative Work a. Team Integration: Work collaboratively with other team members to undertake any other assignments necessary to support the implementation of the unit’s work programme.
Qualifications/special skills
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: Currently pursuing or hold a Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Education, Social Sciences, Geography, Public Administration, Business Administration, International Development, or similar relevant topic. Proficiency in research methodologies, data collection and analysis, and project management tools is desirable. 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. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, detail-orientation and eagerness to learn and contribute to research projects are desirable.
