Intern - Human Rights and Social Inclusion Unit

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) was established by the UN General Assembly to promote sustainable urbanization and human settlements. The organization focuses on creating socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, working with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable communities. UN-Habitat operates globally, collaborating with governments, civil society, and the private sector to address urban development challenges and ensure that no one is left behind. The organization emphasizes the importance of human rights and social inclusion in its programming and normative work, particularly through the Human Rights and Social Inclusion Unit (HRSIU).

Job Overview:
The intern will work under the direct supervision of the UN-Habitat Focal Point for Children and Youth, contributing to various projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing youth and children's participation in urban development. The role involves conducting desk reviews, stakeholder mapping, and preparing knowledge products such as background papers and reports. The intern will also support the design and implementation of child- and youth-focused projects, assist in logistical preparations for meetings and workshops, and engage with youth-led organizations and child rights networks. Additionally, the intern will draft communications materials to amplify the voices of children and youth in urban development and track progress on specific project components, contributing to internal and donor reports.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities include:

• Conducting desk reviews and facilitating stakeholder mapping related to youth and children in urban settings.
• Contributing to the preparation of knowledge products, background papers, briefing notes, and reports.
• Supporting the design, planning, implementation, and documentation of child- and youth-focused projects or initiatives.
• Assisting in logistical and administrative preparations for meetings, workshops, and events.
• Promoting youth participation in urban policy dialogues and community-led planning processes.
• Engaging and liaising with youth-led organizations, child rights networks, and urban governance institutions.
• Drafting communications materials, including social media posts, blogs, and newsletters.
• Tracking progress on youth- and child-specific components of HRSIU’s projects and initiatives.
• Contributing to the preparation of periodic internal and donor reports. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application: 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 a Bachelor's degree, Master's, PhD, or equivalent. Additionally, applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite) and demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, along with a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. A demonstrated ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds is also required.

Educational Background:
The preferred educational background includes an undergraduate degree in human rights, gender, urban planning, sustainable development, or a related field. A postgraduate degree is also acceptable, and a graduate-level intern is preferred. Applicants must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master's, or Ph.D. Programme, or have completed such a programme.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not required for this internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position, applicants should have a field of study closely related to the internship. Proficiency in supporting or leading youth or child engagement activities is required, and experience working with youth- or child-focused networks is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship position. Knowledge of another UN language is considered desirable, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and all costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Kenya may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.