Urban Law Internship (Nairobi)

About the role

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is recruiting multiple Urban Law Interns in Nairobi on a 6-month contract, under the Policy and Legislation Section (PLS) of the Planning, Finance and Policy Branch. The Section works on policies, legislation, urban-rural linkages and metropolitan management, and the intern works under the direct supervision of the Legal Specialist (PLS). The internship closes on 4 November 2026.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in research and studies on urban planning law, housing law, public participation and climate-smart urban planning legislation.
• Provide backstopping support to ongoing and upcoming projects and help overcome implementation challenges.
• Analyse and present data from diverse sources and contribute to background papers, reports, studies and publications on housing, land and property rights, urban law assessments and land law.
• Maintain the UrbanLex database and apply and improve the Section's toolkits.
• Help create website communication materials and organise expert group meetings, consultative sessions, conferences and outreach events.
• Produce a personal project aligned with the Section's goals and carry out other duties as required.

Required profile

• Enrolled in a graduate programme, in the final year of a first university degree (minimum Bachelor's level), or a graduate with a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD.
• Preferred fields of study: law, international relations or diplomacy.
• Fluency in oral and written English; knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
• Interest in the work of the United Nations and ability to interact respectfully with people of different cultural backgrounds.
• Applicants do not need professional work experience, but must be studying or have studied in a field closely related to the internship.

Required skills

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience researching urban law topics such as urban planning, land, climate change and housing.
• Experience reviewing and analysing legal documents.
• Organising events or supporting outreach is desirable.

Interns are not paid by the United Nations; travel, visa, accommodation and living costs are the intern's or their sponsor's responsibility, and non-residents may need a visa and work authorisation.