Anti-Racism Intern

Work Location

Hybrid, Nairobi, Kenya

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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.

As part of the UNS Secretary-General’s call to address racism and racial discrimination within the UN system and based upon the Strategic Action Plan from the Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy, and Compliance on addressing racism and promoting dignity for all within the United Nations, to appoint Anti-Racism Advocates in each Secretariat Agency who lead responses and communication on our anti-racism efforts. Through a taskforce, and in line with the broader UN efforts, UN-Habitat kicked-off by rolling out the agreed actions including from the 2021 Organization wide racism survey and develop an anti-racism strategy.

The focus of the position will be to support the Anti-racism Advocates. This internship provides an opportunity to contribute to global sustainable urban development and anti-racism.

The internship is for six (6) months, UNPAID and full-time.

Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. The intern will work under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Urban Basic Services Section.

Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background, the interns' assigned office as well as the internship period. Under the direct supervision of the WUF Coordinator, the intern will undertake the following duties:

• Support the Anti-Racism Advocates of UN-Habitat.
• Carry out research, analysis and review of UN policies regarding discrimination and racism.
• Assist with advice and analysis on the interpretation and application of the SG’s strategic action plan on addressing racism, relevant resolutions and conventions.
• Assist with the drafting and review of policy documents, including correspondence, summary notes, briefing papers and reports.
• Assist in servicing trainings, events, and meetings, including notetaking and preparation of summary reports and action points.
• Maintain a library of resources including learning materials
• Support the design, administration and follow-up of surveys on racism and discrimination.
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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.

Be computer literate in Microsoft Office. 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 understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Preferred Area of Studies Bachelor’s degree in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), communications, international development, urban development, management and administration, or other social sciences.

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.

Degree qualification and relevant professional experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and capacity to support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programs is required.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, detail-orientation and eagerness to learn and contribute to research projects are desirable.

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.

No Fee

THE 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.