Internship in Regional Programme Division

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) was established by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It serves as the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat operates in over 90 countries, working collaboratively with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. The organization aims to promote urbanization as a transformative force that reduces inequality, discrimination, and poverty, thereby advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the local level in accordance with the New Urban Agenda (NUA).

Job Overview:
This internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is located in the Regional Programme Division (RPD) at the headquarters of UN-Habitat in Nairobi, Kenya. The RPD serves as the coordination hub for planning, implementation, and monitoring of regional programmes and country activities. The intern will assist in the implementation of the Shanghai Award's 4th cycle and the Shanghai Manual's 2026 annual report. This includes providing support for communications and advocacy activities related to the project, as well as assisting in various aspects of project management. The internship is unpaid and full-time, requiring interns to work five days a week under the supervision of a staff member in the department. The work hours will be determined based on discussions between the intern and their supervisor, taking into account the organization's minimum requirements and the time difference between the intern's location and the hosting office.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's daily responsibilities will vary based on their background, assigned office, and internship period. Under the supervision of the Inter-Regional Advisor of the RPD, the intern will be tasked with several key responsibilities:

• Drafting, editing, and preparing publicity materials related to the Shanghai Award and Shanghai Manual, including news stories, newsletters, emails, social media content, and outreach materials.
• Supporting regular updates and maintenance of content on the Shanghai Award website and relevant internet platforms.
• Assisting in the development of technical documents and organizing information related to the Shanghai Award application and review process.
• Conducting research, supporting case collection, and drafting for the Shanghai Manual.
• Assisting in database development and analysis for both the Shanghai Award and Shanghai Manual.
• Supporting the planning and organization of meetings, workshops, seminars, and other events related to the Shanghai Award and Shanghai Manual.
• Providing project management and administrative support as needed.
• Performing any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

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, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite. A demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter are essential. Candidates should also have 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 educational background required for this internship includes being a student in the final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or being enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. programme, or having completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. programme. Preferred areas of study include Communications, Media Studies, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations, Urban/Public Policy, or any related field. While professional work experience is not required, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary.

Experience:
While applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, experience in organizing meetings and events is desirable. Additionally, experience in creating content for public dissemination, such as social media posts, emails, newsletters, and press materials, is also preferred. This experience will help the intern effectively contribute to the communications and advocacy activities of the Shanghai Award and Shanghai Manual.

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 is considered desirable, which may enhance the intern's ability to engage with a broader range of stakeholders and resources within the UN system.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. 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, including application, interview, or training.