1. Housing Solutions Intern Location: Nairobi Level: Internship Duration: 6 months Department: United Nations Human Settlements Prog
1. Housing Solutions Intern
Location: Nairobi
Level: Internship
Duration: 6 months
Department: United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Deadline: August 21st, 2025
About the role
Org. Setting and Reporting 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. Under the Saameynta Programme, UN-Habitat Somalia Programme in partnership with the Municipality of Bossaso is developing a comprehensive Best Practices Report on housing and settlement solutions to guide scalable and sustainable interventions for displaced communities in Bossaso. This report will analyze past projects spanning 20 years, drawing lessons, assessing best practices, and providing pathways for improving housing, land, and property (HLP) solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities. Simultaneously, as part of the broader Somalia initiatives under the IDSF project, UN-Habitat is supporting the development of a Catalogue for Best Practice Housing Solutions for Somalia. This catalogue aims to identify, analyze, and promote context-specific, scalable, and sustainable housing and land development practices across Somalia. The intern will work under the overall coordination of the Head of Programmes, Somalia Programme, and the direct supervision of the assigned Human Settlements Officer, Manager for the Internal Displacement Solutions Fund Project (IDSF).
Responsibilities
The intern will assist in collecting, analyzing, and documenting data and insights needed for both Best practices report on housing and settlement solutions for Bossaso and the Catalouge best practice in housing for IDPs for Somalia. The intern’s support will include:
- Support in data collection, analysis, and documentation for the Best Practices Housing Report on Bossaso and the Catalogue for Somalia.
- Assist in conducting field assessments, site visits, and mapping of housing and settlement initiatives, including compiling lists, maps, and documenting physical features and typologies.
- Assist in collecting project documentation such as designs, impacts, and lessons learned from implementing agencies.
- Assist in developing simple architectural drawings of housing typologies using AutoCAD.
- Support in compiling a detailed project database with information on project names, locations, shelter counts, typologies, and descriptions.
- Assist in conducting desk research to identify successful and scalable housing models in Somalia and comparable contexts.
- Support in documenting case studies, methodologies, impacts, and lessons learned, and compiling visual materials such as photos and sketches.
- Support in organizing stakeholder consultations and field visits to gather qualitative insights and validate data.
- Assist in drafting, editing, and formatting report sections and catalogue entries to ensure clarity, consistency, and professionalism.
- Applicants must at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher),
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent),
- 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: Enrolled in the final year of a bachelor’s degree or pursuing a Master’s or PhD in Architecture, Housing, or related fields. In addition, successful applicants are expected to have demonstrated ability in one or more areas listed below:
• Hands-on experience with AutoCAD or similar architectural visualization software.
• Proficiency in architectural visualization, 3D modeling, and graphic design (e.g., Adobe Suite including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of housing and settlement issues in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Please add a link to your architectural portfolio in the cover letter. The portfolio can contain your academic or professional projects as drawings, model photos, 3Ds that demonstrate skills in the production of architectural and settlement visualizations and layout of plans, drawings, or presentations.
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.
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.
2. Intern – Programme Management
Location: Nairobi (1 position) and Dakar (1 position)
Department: United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Deadline: 21st August, 2025
About the role
This internship is located within the Regional Office for Africa (ROAF), UN-Habitat, Nairobi, Kenya (1 position) and the Sub-Regional Office for West Africa, Dakar, Senegal (1 position). He/She will report to the Senior Human Settlements Officer (SHSO) overseeing West Africa.
Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Senior Human Settlements Officer (SHSO) overseeing West Africa, the intern will contribute in the following ways:
- Familiarize him/herself with UN-Habitat’s mandate and the tools developed;
- Support in the GIS mapping and spatial analysis;
- Support in the development of concept notes and project documents for resource mobilization in West Africa;
- Support Country offices in West Africa in monitoring and reporting to Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) and headquarters;
- Contribute to the communication and visibility of UN-Habitat’s activities in West Africa;
- Perform other tasks as needed, including but not limited to note taking, drafting minutes, providing translations, preparing power point presentations, attending meetings.
Applicants must at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher),
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent)
- 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:
Bachelors or Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Town Planning, Architecture, Geography or any other related studies. 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. Knowledge in the thematic of urban development is required. Proficiency in the use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) using tools such as QGIS and ArcGIS for mapping and spatial analysis is desirable.
Intern – Resource Mobilisation and Social Inclusion
Job Category: Internship
Duty Station: NAIROBI
Department/Office: United Nations Human Settlements Programme
End Date: Aug 21, 2025
The UN-Habitat 2026 – 2029 Strategic Plan introduces a strategic focus on access to adequate housing, land and basic services for all, including the urgent transformation of informal settlements and slums. This integrated focus is a powerful approach to achieving an impact on people’s lives, both directly and indirectly. The Human Rights and Social Inclusion (HRSI) Unit ensures that cross-cutting safety, human rights and inclusion principles are mainstreamed across all UN-Habitat programming and normative work. The Unit supports the meaningful participation of marginalised and underrepresented populations, including women, youth and children, older persons and persons with disabilities, and indigenous peoples in shaping cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Resource mobilisation is a critical requirement in ensuring the sustainability and expansion of HRSI Unit’s initiatives.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Project Management Officer in the Human Rights and Social Inclusion (HRSI) Unit, the intern will:
• Support in the development of a resource mobilisation and stakeholder engagement plan for the HRSI Unit, including liaising with the Donor Relations and Strategic Resource Partnerships Unit for review and approval.
• Support research on potential development partners, funding opportunities, and grant-making institutions relevant to human rights and social inclusion.
• Support in drafting professional outputs such as concept notes, proposals, fundraising strategies, donor engagement plans and donor reports.
• Support in the development and management of a donor database and assist in tracking funding proposals.
• Contribute to partnership-building efforts and stakeholder engagement with foundations, private sector actors, and international development agencies.
• Support in the exploration and development of innovative funding mechanisms and strategic approaches to in-house financing.
• Support the HRSI team members as otherwise required.
• This internship may be carried out remotely or in-person, based on the availability and needs of the selected intern. If remote internship, time zone differences will be taken into consideration, but the intern must be available for a minimum of agreed meetings during EAT work hours to ensure a regular communication flow.
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:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in International Relations, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration or Management, Development Studies, or equivalent. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 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.
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