Programme Support Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is an agency of the United Nations established to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It serves as the focal point for urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat collaborates with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. The organization aims to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty through urbanization, which is viewed as a transformative force for people and communities. In June 2023, during the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, Member States endorsed a resolution on Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which mandates UN-Habitat to enhance the capacities of local and national governments regarding SDG data, planning, reporting, and multilevel governance. The agency's 2026–2029 Strategic Plan identifies Participatory Multilevel Governance and SDG Localization as key means of implementation to advance its strategic priorities, which include adequate housing, land, basic services, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums. 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 organization operates globally, providing programmatic direction and accountability for delivering its strategic plan, developing tools and methodologies, and supporting capacity development for Member States and partners.

Job Overview:
The Programme Support Intern will be placed within the Global Solutions Division, specifically within the SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance Unit under the Project Management workstream. The intern will focus on the Sports for Sustainable Urban Development initiative, working under the guidance of the Coordinator of the Sport for Sustainable Urban Development. The role involves coordinating with project managers across related initiatives, including the Partnership Platform, Smart SDG Cities, and local government workstreams. The intern will support the day-to-day implementation of the initiative, assist in monitoring activities in pilot countries, and contribute to desk research and technical inputs that integrate sport into UN-Habitat tools and methodologies. The intern will also support the organization and preparation of spatial mapping, data analysis activities, and report generation. Additionally, the intern will help prepare and deliver events, workshops, missions, and knowledge-exchange activities related to sport-driven urban development, contributing to knowledge management by taking meeting notes and drafting communication materials such as presentations, briefs, newsletters, and web content.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities include supporting the day-to-day implementation of the Sport for Sustainable Urban Development Initiative, assisting with the monitoring of activities in pilot countries, contributing to desk research and technical inputs for integrating sport into UN-Habitat tools and methodologies, supporting the organization and preparation of spatial mapping and data analysis activities, generating and reviewing reports, preparing and delivering events, workshops, missions, and knowledge-exchange activities related to sport-driven urban development, and contributing to knowledge management by taking meeting notes and drafting communication materials such as presentations, briefs, newsletters, and web content.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application: 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), or have graduated with a Bachelor's degree, Master's, PhD, or equivalent. Candidates 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. Additionally, candidates should have the ability to successfully interact with individuals from different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions and views.

Educational Background:
Candidates with academic or demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas are encouraged to apply: Urban Studies, Urban Planning, or Urban Design; Sustainable Development, International Development, or Development Studies; Public Policy, Public Administration, or Governance; Sports Management, Sport and Development, or Physical Activity and Health; Social Sciences or related fields with a focus on cities, youth, inclusion, or community development. Applicants to the UN internship-programme" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, but a field of study closely related to the internship is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of their 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.

Experience:
While applicants are not required to have professional work experience, they should have relevant academic experience or demonstrated interest in urban, development, or sport-related projects. Candidates should describe their experience supporting such projects, including activities like research, coordination, planning support, reporting, or communication related to cities, communities, sport, or sustainable development. They should provide one or two concrete examples of their involvement in these areas.

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

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. 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 the country where the internship is undertaken may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training) and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.