Intern - Policy, Legislation and Governance Section

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Position Title: Intern - Policy, Legislation and Governance Section
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the mandated UN Agency dedicated to promoting sustainable urbanization and improving human settlements. Established over 40 years ago, UN-Habitat operates in more than 90 countries, working closely with governments and local partners to deliver impactful projects that combine global expertise with local knowledge. The agency's mission is to support people in cities and human settlements to create a better urban future, focusing on various aspects of urban development, including policy, legislation, governance, and social inclusion.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is situated within the Urban Practices Branch of UN-Habitat, specifically in the Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS). The intern will assist in various projects related to National Urban Policy, urban-rural linkages, and metropolitan management. The role involves contributing to research, data analysis, and the development of training materials, as well as supporting the organization of events and outreach activities. The intern will work under the supervision of the Human Settlement Officer and will be expected to engage with contemporary topics in sustainable urbanization, contributing to the overall mission of advancing knowledge in urban policy and governance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities will vary based on their background and assigned office but will generally include:

• Contributing to the review of materials related to National Urban Policy and researching contemporary topics in sustainable urbanization.
• Assisting in the analysis and presentation of data for reports and normative products.
• Copy-editing and finalizing project reports and tools.
• Producing a personal project aligned with the Section's goals.
• Reviewing and summarizing existing courses to support training package development.
• Assisting in translation and review of documents between English and French.
• Supporting the organization of expert group meetings and outreach activities.
• Undertaking additional duties as required to ensure effective functioning of the Section.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), b. Be in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level), c. Have graduated with a Bachelor's degree, Master's, PhD, or equivalent. Candidates should be computer literate in standard software applications and demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations. They should also possess the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Educational Background:
The preferred educational background includes advanced university degrees in fields such as Urban/Public Policy, Governance, Urban and Territorial Development, Urban Development, Metropolitan Management, Project Development or Management, Architecture, or related fields. Candidates should be pursuing or have recently attained a Master's or PhD degree. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, but a relevant field of study is essential.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not mandatory for applicants to the UN Internship Programme, candidates should have experience in research, copy editing, communications, tools development, and project management. Experience in urban thematic areas is required, particularly in research related to urban law and governance, urban planning, land, climate change, and housing. Additionally, experience in database management, data analytics, and organizing events is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship position. Knowledge of another UN language, such as French, is 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. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.