Intern - Knowledge and Innovation Branch

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is a global organization established by the UN General Assembly to promote sustainable urbanization and human settlements. Founded to address the challenges of urbanization, UN-Habitat works with various partners to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. The organization operates in multiple countries, focusing on reducing inequality, discrimination, and poverty through urban development initiatives. UN-Habitat is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and is recognized as the focal point for urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system, leading efforts to gather urban data and produce flagship reports on urban development.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is located within the Knowledge and Innovation Branch (KIB) of the Global Knowledge and Advocacy Division (GKAD) at UN-Habitat's headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The intern will work under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer and will be responsible for various tasks related to data management and web development. The role involves establishing a reliable data storage structure, creating server-side APIs, implementing security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security measures, and setting up a backend hosting environment. The intern will also be expected to develop documentation and architecture diagrams while collaborating with team members to engage fully with the initiative. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a UN setting, contributing to the organization's mission of promoting sustainable urbanization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Establishing a reliable data storage structure by designing schemas and setting up the database environment to ensure efficient data retrieval and management.
• Creating server-side APIs for accessing, creating, updating, and managing data, ensuring that the interfaces are well-structured and maintainable for frontend components or other systems.
• Implementing basic security measures, including user authentication and authorization workflows, protecting data, and safeguarding against common web vulnerabilities.
• Setting up the backend hosting environment, including server environment, deployment workflows, and monitoring, while ensuring the system is scalable.
• Developing accessible documentation and architecture diagrams to support the project.
• Collaborating closely with team members to learn and engage with the full initiative, contributing to the overall success of the project.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school program (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, candidates should be computer literate in standard software applications, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite. A keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter are essential. Candidates should also demonstrate the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions and views.

Educational Background:
The preferred educational background for this internship includes a degree or background in fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics. Applicants must be students in their final year of a first university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent), or enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs. A field of study closely related to the internship type is required, and applicants should be able to provide proof of their academic status.

Experience:
While applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, relevant experience in Cloud-Based Backend Web Development is required. This includes familiarity with web application databases, APIs, security measures, and infrastructure. Experience in areas such as Generative AI, Agentic Development, and Azure Cloud Services is considered desirable, enhancing the candidate's profile for the internship.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN language, such as French, is desirable and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Additional Notes:
Interns at UN-Habitat are not financially remunerated, meaning that all costs and arrangements for 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 before accepting the internship offer. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements prior to accepting the internship. Additionally, it is emphasized that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training, and does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.