Intern - Speech Writing and Storytelling

Work LocationIn-person, 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. During the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in June 2023, Member States endorsed the Resolution on Localizing the SDGs mandating UN-Habitat to strengthen the capacities of local and national governments on SDG data, planning and reporting as well as on multilevel governance for SDG localization. UN-Habitat’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan also identifies Participatory Multilevel Governance and SDG Localization as one of the five Means of Implementation to deliver on the corporate strategic focus on adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums. The position is located in UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team within the Global Solutions Division (GSD). The Global Solutions Division is responsible for providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards the effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN-Habitat. It provides substantive training and supports capacity development of Member States and partners. The Global Solutions Division hosts the Local 2030 Coalition’s Secretariat and coordinates UN-Habitat’s work on SDG Localization through the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team. UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team works under umbrella of the Local2030 Coalition and coordinates UN-Habitat’s corporate offering and global portfolio on SDG Localization, including the SDG Cities Global Initiative (Flagship 5). The SDG Cities Initiative supports cities in creating integrated solutions that drive progress across multiple SDGs, ensuring cohesive and scalable urban development addressing challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. It does so by leveraging the potential of data for evidence-based decision-making, fostering cities’ access to finance, while building their overall institutional capacities. Building on the Agency’s operational capacities and technical leadership, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s delivery across three levels: 1) advancing city-level transformation through SDG Cities; 2) supporting national governments to develop National SDG Localization Frameworks, through the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs; 3) advancing the global dialogue on SDG Localization through the SDG Cities Global Community and direct engagement within the main UN fora. UN-Habitat's vison on SDG Localization aims to impact the lives of 1 billion people by promoting transformative change in 50 countries and 1000 cities. The intern will be based in the SDG Cities and MLG Unit within UN-Habitat. The team works on global and country-level SDG localization, supporting projects such as the Partnership Platform, Smart SDG Cities, the IOC programme, the Finland-UN-Habitat partnership, and others. The intern will report directly to the Coordinator of the SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance Unit, who leads strategic communication, high-level narrative framing, and leadership messaging for the team. The role involves collaborating with the Communications team, technical project managers, and external partners to craft compelling narratives, speeches, and storytelling products that communicate the impact of SDG localization work. Responsibilities • Draft speeches, talking points, and keynote remarks for internal and external speaking engagements (e.g., conferences, launches, donor events, high-level meetings). • Develop storytelling content that highlights the outcomes, human stories, and impact of the team’s projects (Ghana, Finland, Smart SDG Cities, IOC, and others). • Transform technical information into compelling narratives suitable for diverse audiences (global partners, local governments, donors, youth, and digital audiences). • Support the preparation of scripts for video projects, podcasts, interviews, and multimedia storytelling. • Conduct background research and content gathering from project teams, reports, and data sources. • Edit and refine written content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to UN-Habitat tone and communication standards. • Assist in preparing communications briefs, messaging packs, and narrative guides. • Collaborate with designers, videographers, and social media focal points to ensure cross-platform messaging alignment. • Perform other writing and communications tasks as assigned. 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. Preferred areas of study: Undergraduate (final year) or Graduate (Master/PhD) in one of: Communications, Journalism, International Relations, Public Policy, Literature / Writing, Public Affairs, or any related fields to writing, storytelling, or strategic communication. 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 must demonstrate strong writing skills. Please share 1–2 writing samples (e.g., articles, speeches, essays, or storytelling pieces) and explain how they demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. Describe a time when you took complex information and transformed it into a clear, engaging narrative. What steps did you take to structure and refine the message? LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written English and French is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable. Additional InformationDo you have any previous UN internship experience? If yes, please indicate the UN entity and the specific dates. 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.