Human Rights - Intern (Hybrid)

Job Description

Work Location

• Hybrid, Nairobi and In-person, Geneva

Expected Duration

• 6 months

Org. Setting and Reporting

• The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated 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.
• Works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities.
• Promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force, reducing inequality, discrimination, and poverty.
• This internship is located in the Human Rights and Social Inclusion Unit of UN-Habitat, Nairobi, Kenya (1 position) and Geneva, Switzerland (1 position).
• The Human Rights and Social Inclusion Unit provides technical inputs to ensure human rights and social inclusion are integral to UN-Habitat’s work, through development of normative tools, guidelines, and the HRSI Community of Practice.
• The intern reports to the Associate Human Rights and Social Inclusion Officer.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of internal human rights, gender, and social inclusion capacity-building materials, including organizing meetings/webinars, conducting background research, drafting surveys and communication materials.
• Support the development of human rights materials such as reports, publications, and concept notes, including research, attending relevant meetings, and supporting events.
• Support the development of gender mainstreaming materials, including research, attending meetings, summarizing reports, and drafting documents.
• Support internal reporting by gathering feedback from other teams.
• Support engagement with UN human rights mechanisms, such as the Human Rights Council.
• Support internal and external meetings/events focusing on human rights and gender mainstreaming, including logistical support, coordination, minute-taking, preparing materials, drafting talking points, and liaising with stakeholders.
• Support preparation of human rights and gender events at the World Urban Forum.
• Support the Associate Human Rights and Social Inclusion Officer as required.
• Carry out other tasks to support the Human Rights and Social Inclusion Unit, including administrative tasks such as taking minutes of meetings.
• Internship may be remote or in-person depending on intern availability and needs; part-time internships are possible.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• Must meet one of the following at time of application:
• • Enrolled in a graduate program (second degree or higher)
  • Enrolled in the final year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s)
  • Graduated with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD
• Computer literacy in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite).
• Demonstrated interest in the United Nations and commitment to the Charter ideals.
• Ability to interact successfully with individuals of different cultural backgrounds, understanding and tolerating differing opinions.
• Preferred areas of study:
  • LLB or LLM in law or human rights law
  • MSc in human rights or gender
  • Graduate-level interns preferred
• Experience applying a human rights-based approach to sustainable development and in gender mainstreaming is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of French is desirable.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Additional Information

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

Intern Specific Text

• Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations.
• Costs for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or sponsoring institutions.
• Non-citizens or non-permanent residents may need appropriate visas and work/employment authorization.
• Successful candidates should discuss visa requirements before accepting the internship offer

Deadline : Aug 29, 2025