Categories: Vacancies, May 2026

Intern – Research Assistant and Programme Support (for Ethiopian Nationals)

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Department/Office: United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

Deadline: May 8, 2025

Job Description

Work Location

In-person, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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.

UN-Habitat offers an internship opportunity to support its works in promoting sustainable urbanization and improving human settlements. The intern is expected to get involved in research, analysis, and supporting various projects and activities. The intern will work under the guidance of the National Program Officer and report regularly on progress and challenges. A work plan will be agreed upon at the beginning of the internship, and regular feedback will be provided to ensure a productive learning experience. Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the National Program Officer and in close collaboration with the project teams, the intern will:

1. Research and Analysis:

• Conduct desk research on best practices and lessons learned from ongoing and recently completed projects. Conduct research, including document, legal and internet searches on assigned topics.

• Assist in gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing data related to climate and environment, resilience, displacement, migration trends, and urbanization topics.

• Support the preparation of spatial plans, settlement profiling, and mapping exercises.

• Support the timely delivery of programme tasks, support UN-Habitat’s active engagement in projects, Mapping of relevant partners, donors and stakeholders.

2. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Assist in organizing workshops, consultations, and capacity-building sessions for stakeholders, including government officials, community representatives, and partners.

• Facilitate community engagement activities to ensure inclusive participation in planning processes.

3. Documentation and Reporting:

• Provide assistance in drafting and preparing official documents, press releases and statements.

• Provide assistance in maintaining records and datasets, assist in drafting technical reports, proposals, and case studies on assigned topics.

• Contribute to the preparation of periodic project updates, success stories, and knowledge-sharing materials.

• Support monitoring and evaluation efforts by maintaining proper documentation of activities and outcomes. 4. Administrative Support:

• Support the organization of meetings and preparation of workshops, including elaboration of reports and maintain records of meetings and workshops.

• Perform other duties as required to support the Durable Solutions team.

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 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: Development studies, Environmental planning and management, Geography, Social Sciences, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation, sustainable urban planning, smart and sustainable cities.

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.

As the Intern will be responsible for organization of workshops, it will be necessary for him/her to be able to make Power Point presentations during workshops and meetings will be required. As the work of the Intern will involve sharing information between the organization and stakeholders, it will be imperative that he/she be able to communicate effectively in English language and desirably in Amharic. Excellent communication skills will be required. Applicants must be able to generate research briefs and analyse reports on assigned topics. Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills is required. As the Intern will be responsible for undertaking research activities, analysing and drafting reports, preparing presentations and project documentation, a working knowledge of Microsoft Office productivity tools, experience with MS Office (specifically Excel and PowerPoint) is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written English and Amharic is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.