Intern - Urban-Rural Linkages

Work LocationHybrid, 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. Within UN Habitat, the Urban Practices Branch supports governments and local authorities with tested approaches, guidelines, and tools to plan the growth of cities in an inclusive, sustainable, and future-proof way, in tune with social, cultural, economic, and environmental concerns and particularities. The Branch has five areas of work which are closely related: (1) Policy, Legislation and Governance, (2) Urban Basic Services, (3) Land, Housing and Shelter, (4) Planning, Finance and Economic Development, and (5) Human Rights and Social Inclusion. The work of the Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) focuses on a broader framework through different scales (metropolitan, regional, national and trans-national). The Section plays a critical role in implementing the Agency’s Strategic Plan, flagship programmes, the relevant Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. The Section works with and in collaboration with other parts of the agency (both at Headquarters and in the field) to support national and local governments and partners. The Section fosters high impact initiatives, programmes and projects that draw from its world-class expertise and knowledge to deliver timely, fit-for-purpose and targeted solutions. The Section serves as the Agency’s focal point and global solutions center of excellence on Urban Policy, Legislation and Governance. The Section conducts activities in knowledge management, tools and frameworks development, capacity building, policy dialogue, and advisory services. One of the ways that UN-Habitat is supporting Member states to put in place sustainable, inclusive and people-centered approaches in urban development is through National Urban Polices, regulatory frameworks and other tools development. PLGS plays a key role in supporting the delivery of the following intervention areas: 1. National Urban Policies from pre-feasibility, diagnostic, development, implementation to monitoring and tracking progress. 2. Regulatory and legislative tools and support to Member States on a range of topics relevant to UN-Habitat. 3. Metropolitan and City-region studies including in development of corridors, clusters and systems of cities and promotion of a green economy, smart city approach and urban-rural linkages. 4. Urban-Rural Linkages; developing tools and implementing territorial approaches. 5. Developing documents, pilot/test and disseminate norms, standards, tools, methodologies, regulatory frameworks, operating procedures, and inspiring practices at global, regional, national and sub-national levels. 6. Designing tailored-made solutions on policy, legislative and governance for cities, regions and metropolitan development, enhance urban-rural continuum, with the view to reduce spatial inequality and poverty and increase shared prosperity. 7. Generating and managing cutting-edge knowledge and data (including Indexes and database) on Policy, Legislation and Governance. PLGS is currently recruiting two (2) interns to assist with its portfolio in 2025/2026 on urban-rural linkages and territorial approaches. This position is located in UN-Habitat Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (UN-Habitat/GSD/UPB/PLGS) in Nairobi, Kenya and under the general supervision of the Chief of the Section and under delegated supervision. The incumbent will support research and policy-oriented work with a particular focus on supporting the project titles “strengthening urban-rural linkages through regeneration” and related intersections. More specifically the intern will perform the following duties summarized below. 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 Human Settlement Officer (PLGS), the intern will: • Conduct research on urban and rural development policies, regeneration initiatives, and territorial governance strategies, with a focus on specific contexts and comparative international cases. • Review and prepare background documents, literature summaries, briefing notes, and technical inputs for project development, policy papers, and donor proposals. • Analyse data and compile case-based evidence related to urban-rural linkages and intersections with relevant themes as food systems, urban regeneration, rural revitalization, smart villages, intermediary cities among others • Support the preparation of concept notes, presentations, and reports for internal use, partner collaboration, and external events. • Assist in developing knowledge products, policy tools, and communication materials aligned with UN-Habitat’s work on urban-rural linkages and strategic plan focus areas • Contribute to the organization of thematic workshops, community of practice events, webinar, and learning events, including support with documentation and reporting. • Develop a small knowledge product, case study, or research output as a personal contribution to the team’s ongoing work. 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. The candidate must be currently pursuing or have recently attained a university degree in urban regeneration, urban studies, urban and regional planning, geography, international development, or a related field. (Master or PhD candidate preferably). In addition, successful applicants are expected to have demonstrated ability in one or more areas listed below: • Possess a strong research, writing, and analytical skills; ability to synthesize complex information clearly and concisely. • Familiarity with urban regeneration, rural revitalization, urban-rural linkages, territorial development, land and housing systems, or sustainable urbanization topics. • Strong interests in PLGS’s portfolio of works and is self-motivated. • Possess analytical skills; experience with research and/or familiarity with research methodologies is an asset. • Ability to work and deliver outputs independently in a timely manner, with minimal supervision. 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. Applicants to the UN internship programme within the Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) of the Urban Practices Branch (UPB) are required to have experience in research and copy editing. Experience working on urban thematic is required. Do you have experience in carrying out research on urban regeneration? Experience in database management/data analytics and analysis of data or related areas is desirable for this internship. 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 Chinese (Mandarin) is desirable. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable. Additional InformationNot available. 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.