United Nations Internship Opportunities – Nairobi, Kenya (April 2026 Intake)
The United Nations, through its agencies including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is offering multiple internship opportunities in Nairobi. These roles provide a unique chance for students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in global development, environmental sustainability, urban planning, and international governance.
These internships are based at the UN offices in Nairobi and span across diverse professional areas including programme management, communications, finance, legal affairs, political affairs, artificial intelligence, and environmental governance.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the available positions, including their responsibilities and focus areas.
1. Intern – Program Support (4 Positions)
Job ID: 275722
Department: UNEP
Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline: 28 April 2026
Role Overview
This internship focuses on supporting programme implementation within UNEP. Interns will assist in coordinating activities, preparing documentation, and monitoring environmental programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Support planning and execution of environmental projects
- Assist in preparing reports, briefs, and presentations
- Conduct research and data analysis on environmental issues
- Help coordinate meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagements
- Provide administrative and logistical support to programme teams
2. Intern – Programme and Communication Support (2 Positions)
Job ID: 275445
Department: UNEP
Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline: 28 April 2026
Role Overview
This role combines programme support with communications, ideal for candidates interested in public relations and environmental advocacy.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in developing communication materials (reports, social media content, newsletters)
- Support outreach campaigns and awareness initiatives
- Coordinate communication between programme teams and stakeholders
- Conduct research to support programme messaging
- Assist in organizing events and media engagements
3. Intern – Political Affairs
Job ID: 273982
Department: Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on the Great Lakes Region
Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline: 19 April 2026
Role Overview
This internship provides exposure to regional peace and political processes within the Great Lakes Region.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct political research and analysis on regional developments
- Support preparation of reports, briefs, and background notes
- Assist in monitoring political trends and events
- Provide administrative support for meetings and diplomatic engagements
4. Urban Finance & Economy Intern
Job ID: 275040
Department: UN-Habitat
Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline: 23 April 2026
Role Overview
This role focuses on urban economic development and financing strategies for sustainable cities.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in research on urban finance models and economic systems
- Support analysis of financial data and investment trends
- Contribute to reports on sustainable urban development
- Assist in stakeholder engagement and project coordination
5. Intern – Urban Law
Job ID: 275137
Department: UN-Habitat
Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline: 23 April 2026
Role Overview
This internship is designed for candidates interested in legal frameworks governing urban development.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct legal research on housing, land, and urban policies
- Support drafting of legal documents and policy briefs
- Assist in analysis of international and national legal frameworks
- Provide support for legal advisory activities
6. Programme Support Intern – Housing and Human Security
Job ID: 275132
Department: UN-Habitat
Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline: 23 April 2026
Role Overview
This role supports programmes focused on housing, resilience, and human security in urban settings.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in programme coordination and implementation
- Conduct research on housing and urban resilience issues
- Support preparation of reports and project documentation
- Engage in stakeholder coordination activities
7. Intern – Urban Planner
Job ID: 275140
Department: UN-Habitat
Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline: 23 April 2026
Role Overview
This internship is tailored for individuals interested in urban planning and sustainable city development.
Key Responsibilities
- Support urban planning projects and spatial analysis
- Assist in data collection and mapping activities
- Contribute to urban design and planning reports
- Participate in stakeholder consultations and workshops
8. Programme Support and Communications Intern – Environmental Governance and Peacebuilding in Somalia
Job ID: 275076
Department: UNEP
Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline: 23 April 2026
Role Overview
This role focuses on environmental governance and peacebuilding initiatives, particularly in Somalia.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in programme coordination and reporting
- Support communication strategies and content development
- Conduct research on environmental governance issues
- Help organize workshops and stakeholder meetings
9. Intern – Artificial Intelligence
Job ID: 275195
Department: UNEP
Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline: 23 April 2026
Role Overview
This internship provides exposure to AI applications in environmental and data-driven decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Support development and testing of AI tools and models
- Assist in data analysis and machine learning projects
- Conduct research on AI applications in sustainability
- Collaborate with technical teams on innovation initiatives
10. Intern – Biodiversity Finance
Job ID: 275220
Department: UNEP
Duty Station: Nairobi
Deadline: 23 April 2026
Role Overview
This role focuses on financing mechanisms for biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in research on biodiversity finance strategies
- Support financial analysis and reporting
- Contribute to policy and investment reports
- Engage in stakeholder coordination and knowledge sharing
Why Apply for UN Internships?
These internships offer:
- Exposure to global policy and development frameworks
- Hands-on experience in international organizations
- Opportunities to build professional networks
- A platform to contribute to impactful global initiatives
