The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, and it is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities, and promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.
As part of the Secretary-General's call to address racism and racial discrimination within the UN system, and based upon the Strategic Action Plan from the Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance on addressing racism and promoting dignity for all within the United Nations, Anti-Racism Advocates are appointed in each Secretariat agency to lead responses and communication on anti-racism efforts. Through a taskforce, and in line with the broader UN efforts, UN-Habitat kicked off by rolling out the agreed actions, including from the 2021 organization-wide racism survey, and by developing an anti-racism strategy.
The focus of the position is to support the Anti-Racism Advocates, and this internship provides an opportunity to contribute to global sustainable urban development and anti-racism.
✊ Responsibilities
Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background, the intern's assigned office and the internship period. Under the direct supervision of the WUF Coordinator, the intern will undertake the following duties:
🤝 Support the Anti-Racism Advocates of UN-Habitat
📚 Carry out research, analysis and review of UN policies regarding discrimination and racism
⚖️ Assist with advice and analysis on the interpretation and application of the Secretary-General's strategic action plan on addressing racism, relevant resolutions and conventions
📝 Assist with the drafting and review of policy documents, including correspondence, summary notes, briefing papers and reports
🎪 Assist in servicing trainings, events and meetings, including notetaking and preparation of summary reports and action points
📖 Maintain a library of resources including learning materials
📊 Support the design, administration and follow-up of surveys on racism and discrimination
🧩 Perform other tasks and duties as assigned by the supervisor
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✅ Qualifications and Special Skills
🎓 At the time of application, be enrolled in a graduate school programme, meaning a second university degree or equivalent or higher, or be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme, meaning minimum bachelor's level or equivalent, or have graduated with a bachelor's degree, master's, PhD or equivalent
💻 Be computer literate in Microsoft Office
🇺🇳 Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter
🌍 Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
📚 Preferred area of studies: a bachelor's degree in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, communications, international development, urban development, management and administration, or other social sciences
🤲 Degree qualification and relevant professional experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills and capacity to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and programmes is required
✍️ Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, detail-orientation and eagerness to learn and contribute to research projects are desirable
🗣️ Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written English is required, and knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
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📋 The Details
📍 Work location: hybrid, Nairobi, Kenya
⏳ Expected duration: 6 months
🕐 The internship is unpaid and full-time, and interns work five days per week under the supervision of a staff member, with the intern working under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Urban Basic Services Section
🏢 Department or office: United Nations Human Settlements Programme
🗂️ Job family: Programme Management
📌 Category and level: Affiliate Personnel, Internships, I-1
🆔 Job opening ID: 280760
⚠️ Conditions of the UN Internship Programme
💶 Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations
✈️ Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions
🛂 Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work or employment authorization
📄 Applicants are asked to indicate any previous UN internship experience, including the UN entity and the specific dates
📩 How to Apply
Apply through the United Nations careers portal for this job opening, attaching proof of your academic status.
⏰ Deadline
05 August 2026.
