Intern: Administration

Job Description

Work Location: In-person, Bilbao, Spain

Expected duration: 6 months

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 located in the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat in Bilbao, as part of the Global Solutions Division.

The Global Solutions Division (GSD) provides programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards the effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN Habitat. It provides substantive training and supports capacity development of Member States and partners.

The Local2030 Coalition is the UN system-wide mechanism to advance the crucial engagement of local stakeholders in a systematic way - a common space to mobilize, engage, and empower every local actor, everywhere – towards achieving the SDGs. The Coalition is underpinned by the recognition that strategic and committed partnerships are key to ensuring coherence and effectiveness.

Inside the UN system, the Local2030 Coalition aims to strengthen coordination between the UN entities’ efforts and expand and deepen their partnerships with local actors to advance the SDGs.

The Coalition is co-chaired by UN-Habitat (as the permanent co-chair) and one other UN entity, which rotates every two years (currently FAO). UN-Habitat also leads the Secretariat of the Local2030 Coalition. The Coalition is governed by a Steering Committee and supported by a UN Directors’ Group, which includes senior representatives from various UN Agencies, Offices, Funds, and Programmes. The Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG) closely accompanies and supports the work of the Local2030 Coalition.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Team Lead for Programme Management and Partnerships of the Local2030 Coalition, the intern will contribute to the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat team on the Administration area (HR, Legal, Procurement, Travel and Events). The responsibilities are listed below and include, but are not limited to:

• Support the recruitment process (vacancy planning, TOR preparation, publication, evaluation, award decision), onboarding and offboarding.
• Support the planning, creation, signature and implementation of Agreements.
• Support the creation of the Monthly Petty Cash Report.
• Support the acquisition of goods and services via planning, preparing and executing Request for Quotations (RFQs), offer evaluations, award decisions, Purchase Orders (POs), Goods Receipt forms and Invoices payment.
• Support the preparation of the Annual Travel Plan, completion of Travel Forms, registration of external guests (Index Number and Banking details creation), Expense Reports and Stand-Alone Payments creation.
• Support event logistics.
• Support office administration tasks (office supplies stock, inventory, security access cards, etc.)
• Any other tasks requested by the manager.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher),
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent),
• 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: We seek candidates with relevant coursework in Business Administration, Law, or other relevant areas for this position.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in administration, HR, legal, procurement, travel, finance, event management and stakeholders engagement.
• Understanding of principles of administration, HR, legal, procurement, travel, finance, event management and stakeholders engagement.

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.

Languages

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

DEADLINE: Feb 24, 2026