Coordination Support - Intern

Job Description

Work Location

• In-person, Nairobi, Kenya

Expected Duration

• 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.
• The Global Solutions Division (GSD) provides programmatic direction for implementing UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan in line with the New Urban Agenda.
• The GSD Front Office coordinates key functions, including:
• • Development of norms, standards, tools, methodologies, and regulatory frameworks on sustainable urbanization.
  • Technical support for testing and dissemination of tools and capacity building for governments.
  • Policy and technical advice to UN-Habitat Regional and Country Offices, governments, and partners.
  • Integrated global approaches aligned with the Strategic Plan to meet Member States and donors’ needs.
  • Programme development support to ensure high-quality programme design and impact delivery.
  • Support for humanitarian responses in urban contexts.

Responsibilities

• Support GSD Front Office Internal Coordination
• • Facilitate work of GSD’s coordination modalities and regular meetings.
  • Support GSD Focal Points to the Regional Programmes Division.
  • Organize the annual Global Solutions Division Retreat (January 2026).
  • Collect GSD inputs for internal documents, reports, and ad hoc products.
• Strategic Engagement with Other Divisions and Offices
  • Support inter-divisional collaboration, including Programme Review Committee functions.
  • Assist in finalizing and disseminating UN-Habitat’s 2026 catalogue of services.
  • Contribute to communication and dissemination materials.
  • Facilitate inputs to the Implementation Strategy of the Strategic Plan 2026-2029.
  • Advance UN-Habitat’s Communities of Practices (CoPs).
  • Support preparations and participation in the World Urban Forum 13 (Baku, May 2026), including WUF Sub-Committees 2 and 5.
  • Assist with UN-Habitat’s Publication Board work, including the World Cities Report, 3rd Quadrennial Report, and other publications.
• Support UN Development System Collaboration and Intergovernmental Processes
  • Assist preparations for Executive Board, Ad hoc Working Group, Open-ended WG on Housing, UN Habitat Assembly, and Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda 2026.
  • Support UN Development Account-funded project monitoring.
• Support the Director of GSD
  • Conduct background research and document review.
  • Prepare talking points and presentations for the Director and Front Office staff.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• At the time of application, applicants must meet one of the following:
• • Enrolled in a graduate programme (Master’s or higher).
  • Enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (Bachelor’s or equivalent).
  • Completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD/Doctorate program.
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated interest in UN work and commitment to UN ideals.
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Preferred fields of study: Public administration, law, social sciences, economics, political science, development studies, urban planning, or related field.
• Ability to internalize and summarize large amounts of information effectively.
• Ability to plan and organize complex multi-stakeholder processes is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in oral and written English and French is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic and/or another UN language is desirable.

Additional Information

• Indicate any previous UN internship experience, specifying entity and dates.

Intern Specifics

• UN internships are unpaid.
• Costs for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
• Non-citizens or non-permanent residents may need appropriate visas or work/employment authorization and should confirm requirements before accepting the internship.

Deadline : Nov 6, 2025