The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the UN agency mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. Operating globally, UN-Habitat works at the intersection of urban policy, research, and development to shape the future of human settlements.
UN-Habitat is now recruiting two interns to join its Nairobi-based teams. These are structured, full-time internship positions offering hands-on experience within a leading United Nations agency. Both roles are ideal for students and recent graduates who are passionate about urban development, global affairs, and contributing to meaningful, large-scale research and communications work.
Position 1: Research and Report Writing Intern
This role sits within the World Cities Report (WCR) project team and offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to one of UN-Habitat’s flagship global publications. You will work alongside researchers and programme officers, gaining exposure to international urban policy discourse and UN reporting standards.
What You Will Be Doing:
You will support the systematic organisation of WCR project materials to facilitate knowledge-sharing and internal reference. A key part of your work will involve reviewing reports and proceedings from the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13), synthesising key discussions and major themes that feed into the WCR 2026 publication. You will assist with the planning and organisation of internal and external post-launch events, including developing background materials and writing event reports.
Beyond event support, you will be responsible for crosschecking the accuracy and consistency of information and referenced sources across WCR post-launch reports — a critical quality assurance function. You will also conduct desktop research to track the real-world impact of WCR 2026, and assist with literature reviews, data collection, and both qualitative and quantitative analysis to support the early conceptualisation of WCR 2028. Additional ad hoc support will be required as directed by your supervisor.
Who This Role Is For:
This position is best suited for candidates with a background in Urban Studies, Urban Planning, Geography, Economics, Development Studies, or a closely related discipline. You should have strong research and analytical skills, excellent written communication, and the ability to handle detailed, accuracy-critical work. Familiarity with research methodologies, data collection techniques, and project management tools will be a distinct advantage.
Position 2: Communications and Design Intern
This role supports the Cities Investment Facility (CIF) communications team and offers a dual focus — marketing and communications on one hand, and graphic design and visual content production on the other. It is a creative, fast-paced role that sits at the intersection of design, storytelling, and global development communications.
What You Will Be Doing:
On the communications side, you will assist in designing and implementing the overall marketing strategy for CIF. This includes drafting, formatting, and editing social media content for the editorial calendar, conducting thematic research to inform campaigns, and contributing to internal UN-Habitat publications. You will prepare public-facing content and materials — documents, reports, and strategy briefs — in collaboration with external partners, all produced in English.
On the design side, you will conceptualise and produce visuals including graphs, infographics, and social media graphics, working from briefs provided by the communications and project teams. You will design marketing collateral such as newsletters, brochure covers, posters, and social cards in line with CIF brand guidelines. You will also assist with updating web pages, designing electronic event invitations, supporting social media campaigns, and coordinating the production of short-form videos for digital platforms. Basic audience research to inform design decisions will also form part of your responsibilities.
Who This Role Is For:
This position is best suited for candidates with a background in Communications, Graphic Design, Marketing, Media, or a related field. You should be proficient in design software, have a strong visual sensibility, and be comfortable working across both written and visual content formats. Experience with social media management and video content production is an advantage.
Eligibility Requirements — Both Positions:
Applicants must meet one of the following academic requirements at the time of application:
- Currently enrolled in a graduate programme (second university degree or higher)
- Currently in the final year of a first university degree (Bachelor’s level or equivalent)
- A recent graduate holding a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree
In addition, all applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, demonstrate a genuine interest in the work and mission of the United Nations, and show an ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives. No prior professional work experience is required, though a field of study closely related to the internship applied for is mandatory. Proof of enrolment or graduation will be required at a later stage of the process.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, analytical and critical thinking ability, attention to detail, and a genuine eagerness to contribute are essential across both roles.
Application Deadline: June 4, 2026
Apply for the Research and Report Writing Intern role: Click Here to Apply
Apply for the Communications and Design Intern role: Click Here to Apply
