Work Location: In-person, Nairobi, Kenya
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.
At the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in June 2023, Member States endorsed the Resolution on Localizing the SDGs, mandating UN-Habitat to strengthen the capacities of local and national governments on SDG data, planning, reporting, and multilevel governance. UN-Habitat’s 2026 – 2029 Strategic Plan further identifies Participatory Multilevel Governance and SDG Localization as a key Means of Implementation to advance the Agency’s strategic priorities on adequate housing, land, basic services, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums.
The internship is anchored within the Global Solutions Division, under both the SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance workstream and the Urban Regeneration portfolio within the Planning and Finance Section; with sport positioned as a cross-cutting accelerator for SDG localization, inclusive regeneration, and public space transformation.
The Global Solutions Division provides programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is accountable for delivering the Strategic Plan. It leads the development of tools and methodologies, integrates substantive expertise across thematic areas, and supports capacity development for Member States and partners. The Division also hosts the Secretariat of the Local2030 Coalition and coordinates UN-Habitat’s corporate work on SDG Localization through the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team.
The SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s global portfolio on SDG Localization, including the SDG Cities Global Initiative. SDG Cities supports cities in delivering integrated solutions across multiple SDGs by strengthening data use for decision-making, improving access to finance, and building institutional capacity to address challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. The Team operates across three levels; city-level transformation through SDG Cities, national support through National SDG Localization Frameworks and the Partnership Platform, and global dialogue through the SDG Cities Global Community and engagement in major UN fora. UN-Habitat’s vision is to improve the lives of one billion people by supporting transformative change in fifty countries and one thousand cities.
The intern will be placed within the SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance Unit under the Project Management workstream, with a specific focus on Sports for Sustainable Urban Development. The Programme Support Intern will work under the overall guidance of the Coordinator of the Sport for Sustainable Urban Development, while coordinating with project managers across related initiatives, including the Partnership Platform, Smart SDG Cities, and local government workstreams.
Responsibilities
Qualifications/special skills
Applicants must at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:
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: Candidates with academic or demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas 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.
Please describe your experience supporting urban, development, or sport-related projects. In your answer, refer to activities such as research, coordination, planning support, reporting, or communication related to cities, communities, sport, or sustainable development. Provide one or two concrete examples.
Please describe your experience using digital tools to support research, coordination, analysis, or communication. List the tools or platforms you are familiar with; for example Excel, PowerPoint, data collection tools, basic design or visualisation tools, or collaboration platforms; and briefly explain how you have used them in academic or project-based work.
Please describe a situation where you worked with different stakeholders or team members. What was your role, how did you contribute, and what did you learn about coordination or collaboration?
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.
DEADLINE: Feb 16, 2026
