Intern: Architect (Hybrid)

Job Description

Work Location: Hybrid, Manama, Bahrain

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.

Under its global mandate, UN-Habitat has been expanding its engagement across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to support the localization and implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the urban dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11.

UN-Habitat’s programmes in the GCC are aligned with national development strategies for countries in GCC area, including Saudi Vision 2030 and equivalent frameworks in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. These efforts focus on advancing sustainable urban development through technical cooperation, strategic partnerships, and capacity building.

The work is coordinated through the Bahrain office under the GCC Subregional Office/Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS), which is responsible for implementing UN-Habitat’s global Work Programme at country, sub region and regional levels, in line with the agency’s Strategic Plan.

He/she will report to the UN-Habitat Representative in Bahrain and will work in close coordination with the wider team at GCC sub region/ROAS country offices, UNCT in Bahrain as well as Bahrain national and local counterparts.

Responsibilities

The intern will work under the supervision of the Head of Country Programme in Bahrain and project managers. He/she will engage on a regular basis with relevant institutions, partners, researchers, to ensure the activities are developed with the inputs of all relevant partners.

The intern will be requested to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Understand the urban context in Bahrain and become familiar with the project portfolio of UN-Habitat and its objectives.
2. Assist in the compilation and review of available data and documentation related to the urban afforestation in Bahrain, Housing and Urban Regeneration in Bahrain.
3. Provide support for spatial and non-spatial data analysis including for example GIS mapping and other types of mapping on afforestation projects and open public spaces.
4. Support the development of the National-wide Afforestation and Public Spaces Assessment, guidelines, and other areas as needed.
5. Support the data collectors working on public spaces assessments, housing projects in Bahrain and urban regeneration in Bahrain as needed.
6. Help with visual design work, mapping, illustrations and drawings.
7. Work alongside the team to share input for awareness-raising campaigns and contribute to community engagement events and trainings.
8. Aid in the preparation of reports and presentations, taking notes as needed.
9. Provide support and help as necessary for the implementation of projects and related activities undertaken by the country program.

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: Undergraduate or fresh graduate with Bachelor’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design or other related fields.

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 is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Additional Information

Do you have any previous UN internship experience? If yes, please indicate the UN entity and the specific dates.

DEADLINE: Mar 4, 2026