The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is recruiting multiple Urban Law Interns in Nairobi on a 6 Months Contract.
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 Policy and Legislation Section (PLS) is one of the two Sections of the Planning, Finance and Policy Branch of UN-Habitat. This Section works on Policies, Legislation, Urban-Rural Linkages and Metropolitan Management for sustainable urban development. The Section plays a critical role in implementing the relevant UN-Habitat Assembly resolutions, the relevant Sustainable Development Goals, and the New Urban Agenda. Legislation is embedded within means of implementation 2 (Planning, Finance, Policy, Localization & Governance) of the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan (2026-2029).
The Plan calls for clear and transparent legal frameworks for urban development to further establish appropriate rules and regulation systems that respond to real needs, actual capacity, and available resources. These can provide solid, forward-looking frameworks to guide urban development based on accountability, the rule of law, and clear implementation mechanisms, which can be continuously enforced as part of efforts to harness the transformative force of urbanization. UN-Habitat will promote relevant legislation that is based on equity considerations that leave no one and no area behind, as well as foster gender equality, which in turn reduces poverty and enhances shared prosperity; and appropriate building and urban regulations designed to strengthen climate action and improved urban environment, and to address effective urban crisis prevention and response.
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 Legal Specialist (PLS), the intern will:
- Assist in conducting research and studies on various urban law topics such as urban planning law, housing law, public participation, and climate-smart urban planning legislation.
- Provide proactive and responsive backstopping support to ongoing and upcoming projects, ensuring smooth implementation and overcoming any challenges that may arise.
- Conduct in-depth analysis and presentation of data collected from diverse sources, offering valuable insights for informed decision-making.
- Contribute to written outputs, draft background papers, reports, and studies, and actively participate in developing publications on such topics as housing, land, and property rights, urban law assessment, and the land law assessment report.
- Assist in the population and maintenance of the UrbanLex database, ensuring its accuracy and relevance as a comprehensive resource in the field of urban law.
- Applying the Section’s toolkits, ensuring their seamless integration and maximizing their impact in urban law and governance practices; Actively contributing to the enhancement of the Section’s toolkits, incorporating any feedback and innovative approaches to maintain their relevance and effectiveness.
- Contribute to the creation of communication materials and updates for the Section’s websites, fostering effective communication and dissemination of information.
- Organize expert group meetings, consultative sessions, conferences, and other events, support outreach activities, and promote knowledge-sharing within the urban law community.
- Produce a personal project that aligns with the goals and objectives of the Section, contributing to the overall mission of advancing knowledge and understanding in urban law and governance.
- Undertake any other duties as may be required to ensure the Section’s effective functioning and the successful implementation of its initiatives.
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.
Preferred areas of study: Studies in law, international relations, or diplomacy.
Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite).
Experience in carrying out research on urban law related to the thematic areas of urban planning, land, climate change, and housing, among others, is required.
Experience in the review and analysis of legal documents is required.
Experience in organizing events (e.g., expert group meetings, consultative and other meetings and conferences) or supporting outreach activities is desirable.
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.
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.
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.
Additional Information
Do you have any previous UN internship experience? If yes, please indicate the UN entity and the specific dates.
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.
