Advocacy and Campaign Internship

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat 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. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.

The intern will join UN-Habitat’s ERSKI division, based in Nairobi, Kenya. ERSKI is dedicated to pioneering research, innovation, and partnerships for sustainable urban development globally. Within ERSKI, the Advocacy and Campaign Unit drives efforts to promote inclusive, resilient cities through strategic communication and stakeholder engagement. In this hybrid role, the intern will work both remotely and in-person at UN-Habitat’s headquarters. The intern will assist in research, advocacy material drafting, campaign support, and communication strategy development, engaging with colleagues and stakeholders to advance UN-Habitat’s mission.

Reporting Line:  The intern will report directly to the Advocacy & Campaign Unit (A&C. U). The intern will work closely with the A&C Team.

Please note that regular check-ins, guidance, and feedback will be provided to ensure the intern’s professional development and successful completion of assigned tasks.

Responsibilities

Content Creation:

• Develop compelling advocacy materials, including articles, blog posts, social media posts, and newsletters, to effectively communicate key messages on sustainable urban development.
• Collaborate with team members to create visually engaging content such as videos, to amplify advocacy efforts.

Event Coordination:

• Support the A&C team on planning, organization, and execution of advocacy events, workshops, and campaigns aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing support for urban sustainability initiatives.
• Coordinate logistics, manage participant communications, and ensure seamless execution of events both in-person and virtually.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

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 Bachelor’s degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent.

Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite).

Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have 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 try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Preferred areas of study: Communication Studies or any other related field of study

Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.

Applicants must be a student in the final year of the 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.

Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

Experience in coordinating events or workshops focused on urban sustainability or related themes is required.

Can you share an example of a successful campaign or initiative you have been involved in related to urban sustainability, and describe your contributions to its success? This is 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. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Intern Specific text

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/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.