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 UN-Habitat 2026–2029 Strategic Plan introduces a strategic focus on access to adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, including the urgent transformation of informal settlements and slums. This integrated focus is a powerful approach to achieving an impact on people’s lives, both directly and indirectly.
The Human Rights and Social Inclusion (HRSI) Unit ensures that cross-cutting safety, human rights, and inclusion principles are mainstreamed across all UN-Habitat programming and normative work. The Unit supports the meaningful participation of marginalised and underrepresented populations, including women, youth and children, older persons and persons with disabilities, and indigenous peoples in shaping cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Resource mobilisation is a critical requirement in ensuring the sustainability and expansion of HRSI Unit’s initiatives.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Project Management Officer in the Human Rights and Social Inclusion (HRSI) Unit, the intern will:
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, Master’s, 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: Bachelor’s degree or higher in International Relations, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration or Management, Development Studies, or equivalent. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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.
Proficiency in the development and operationalisation of a resource mobilisation and stakeholder engagement plan is required.
Proficiency in the development and implementation of fundraising strategies, concept notes, and proposals is required.
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 another UN language is desirable.
DEADLINE: AUGUST 21, 2025