Intern - Graphic Design

Work LocationIn-person, Nairobi, Kenya Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrg. 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. During the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in June 2023, Member States endorsed the Resolution on Localizing the SDGs mandating UN-Habitat to strengthen the capacities of local and national governments on SDG data, planning and reporting as well as on multilevel governance for SDG localization. UN-Habitat’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan also identifies Participatory Multilevel Governance and SDG Localization as one of the five Means of Implementation to deliver on the corporate strategic focus on adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums. The position is located in UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team within the Global Solutions Division (GSD). The Global Solutions Division is responsible for providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards the effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN-Habitat. It provides substantive training and supports capacity development of Member States and partners. The Global Solutions Division hosts the Local 2030 Coalition’s Secretariat and coordinates UN-Habitat’s work on SDG Localization through the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team. UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team work under the umbrella of the Local2030 Coalition and coordinates UN-Habitat’s corporate offering and global portfolio on SDG Localization, including the SDG Cities Global Initiative (Flagship 5). The SDG Cities Initiative supports cities in creating integrated solutions that drive progress across multiple SDGs, ensuring cohesive and scalable urban development addressing challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. It does so by leveraging the potential of data for evidence-based decision-making, fostering cities’ access to finance, while building their overall institutional capacities. Building on the Agency’s operational capacities and technical leadership, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s delivery across three levels: 1) advancing city-level transformation through SDG Cities; 2) supporting national governments to develop National SDG Localization Frameworks, through the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs; 3) advancing the global dialogue on SDG Localization through the SDG Cities Global Community and direct engagement within the main UN fora. UN-Habitat's vision on SDG Localization aims to impact the lives of 1 billion people by promoting transformative change in 50 countries and 1000 cities. The intern will be hosted within the Communications and Advocacy workstream of the SDG Cities and MLG Unit. The team supports the global agenda on SDG localization, local governance, and multilevel coordination, requiring strong visual communication to translate complex concepts into engaging and accessible formats. The Graphic Design Intern will work under the direct supervision of the overall team coordinator and their supervisor and collaborate with project teams, communications staff, technical experts, and country office partners to produce high-quality visuals and design assets. Responsibilities Visual design and content creation: • Assist in creating high-quality visual materials such as social media graphics, flyers, posters, brochures, and presentations to effectively communicate the organization’s message. • Support the development of engaging designs for digital platforms, including websites, email templates, and online marketing campaigns, ensuring a user-friendly and visually appealing experience. • Collaborate on multimedia content production, such as simple animations, video editing, and infographics, to enhance storytelling and engagement. • Create event-specific design materials, including banners, signage, and promotional content, to support successful event execution. • Assist in creating visually compelling social media posts and templates, supporting the team in crafting a cohesive and engaging online presence. Design asset management: • Ensure all designs strictly adhere to branding guidelines, maintaining visual consistency and professionalism across all channels. • Refine and update existing design assets and templates to improve functionality, usability, and overall impact. • Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and ensuring deadlines are met efficiently. • Organize, catalog, and maintain a well-structured library of design assets for easy access and future use. • Stay updated on design trends, tools, and industry best practices to bring innovative ideas and methods to the team. Experiment with new software, tools, and techniques to continuously improve technical and creative skills. • Resize images, prepare files for printing, and conduct thorough quality checks to ensure the final output meets the required standards. Qualifications/special skillsApplicants 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: We seek candidates with relevant coursework in Journalism, Communication, Graphic Design, Public Relations, Social and Political Sciences, International Relations, Urban/Public Policy, or related fields. Qualifications: • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, concise, and engaging content for various digital platforms, is required. • A good grasp of typography, color theory, composition, and layout design is required. • Full proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Canva, or similar graphic design software is required. • Familiarity with Adobe After Effects and other animation tools for creating motion graphics and visual effects is desirable. • Be computer literate in standard software applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). • Strong interest in local governance, local development and local implementation of Agenda 2030 is desirable. Task Opportunities: • Gain insightful experience and knowledge of the United Nations and UN-Habitat's mandates and work with respect to Member States' demands and requests. • Deepen understanding of technical issues involving SDG Localization, multilevel governance, urban development, social inclusion, sustainable municipal finance, urban transformation in cities, etc. • Develop professional graphic design skills and gain exposure to international development communication within a global organization. • Work in a multicultural environment for professionals. 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. Candidates are required to be fully proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Canva, or similar graphic design software. Candidates are required to have knowledge of design principles including typography, color theory, composition, and layout. Familiarity with animation tools for creating visual effects and knowledge of video production processes, such as scripting, storyboarding, and basic camera operation, is desirable. LanguagesEnglish 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 InformationDo you have any previous UN internship experience? If yes, please indicate the UN entity and the specific dates. Intern Specific textInterns 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. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.