Internship: Programme Assistant

Job Description

Job Opening ID: 269825
Job Network : -
Job Family : Programme Management
Category and Level : Internship, I-1
Duty Station : RABAT
Department/Office : United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Date Posted : Jan 8, 2026
Deadline : Jan 22, 2026

Work Location: In-person, Rabat, Morocco

Expected duration: 3 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.

UN-Habitat National Office for Morocco was established in 2021 in Rabat and provides technical cooperation and capacity building by promoting and implementing policies, programmes, and operational projects in UN-Habitat’s focus areas at national and local levels, aimed at achieving sustainable urban development in the country, and provide technical cooperation services, upon request from government.

Since the office opening UN-Habitat has been active in Morocco in partnership with the Ministry of National Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy to support the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable urban development. The opening of the UN-HABITAT representative office in Morocco will contribute to optimal governance and implementation of the country program and consolidate cooperation mechanisms with the Moroccan government.

The intern will report to the Programme Management Officer and will be responsible for the following:

Responsibilities

• Supporting the development of the technical and normative outputs of Urban Planning projects, by assisting in gathering data, analysing, contributing to the preparation of reports and technical documents, preparation of presentations, and other dissemination materials.
• Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation work for, typically, a medium-size and complex component of the departmental programme/project initiatives; monitors status of programme/project proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval.
• Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes/project and related topics or issues.
• Supporting the capacity building on a variety of planning themes.
• Assisting in the SDG’s localization in urban planning policy frameworks, guidelines, policies, and presentations through identification and review of relevant publications and documents, drafting and commenting on documents, and assisting in producing information materials.
• Assisting in identifying fields for collaboration with key actors in the framework of UN-Habitat programs;
• Supporting the team in the drafting of working documents, including concept notes, project presentations, etc.
• Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, policy notes, issue papers, analytical notes, guides, toolkits, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provides substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review and analysis of emerging issues and trends, participation in evaluations or research activities and studies.
• Provide programmatic and technical input to field operations, for liaison on spatial planning, public space and infrastructure development and implementation with multiple partners.
• Assisting in planning, preparing, and implementing events (meetings, workshops, conferences, Expert Group Meetings, etc.) and support the implementation of specific recommendations arising from these events.
• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Provide input to related pillar and interpillar publications and collaboration projects and reports.
• Contributing to the improvement of the work plan of the country office;
• Performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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:

• Enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), in international relations, International development, sustainable development, Political sciences, Eco-management and/or related field is required.
• Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in above) and, if selected, must start the internship during the last year of studies or within one-year of graduation social science and/or development studies

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 computer software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.

Experience or academic background in sustainable development or urban planning is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written English and French 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.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

DEADLINE: January 22, 2026