Urban Planning and Programme Support Interns

Geneva

3 and 6 months

The internship is located in the Cities Unit of the Energy, Housing and Land Management Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Geneva, Switzerland. The UNECE Energy, Housing and Land Management Division focuses on promoting compact, inclusive, resilient, smart, and sustainable cities; ensuring energy-efficient and affordable adequate housing—particularly for vulnerable populations and those with special needs; and fostering transparent and efficient land use and property registration systems. This internship opportunity is for the selection of 2 interns for different areas within the Unit's work and with different lengths: first positions is to support mainly work of the Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management and the UN Forum of Mayors for 6 months (estimate from 15 May to 15 November 2026), while the second is to work with the UN4UkrainianCities project for 3 months (estimate from 8 June to 8 September 2026). The UNECE Cities' Unit serves as a secretariat to two UN intergovernmental bodies: the Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management and its Working Party on Land Administration; and two teams of specialists – the United Nations Forum of Mayors and the Real Estate Market Advisory Group (REM). Under the direct supervision of the Secretary of the Committee and Secretary to the UN Forum of Mayors, the intern will support staff in their objective to provide effective secretariat support for the work of the UNECE Committee, its Working Party and the teams of specialists. The intern will be especially focusing on assisting the organization and follow up of the 87th session of the Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management (Geneva, 14-16 October 2026) and the 6th meeting of the UN Forum of Mayors (Geneva, 12-13 October 2026). The intern will assist the secretariat by: • Aiding in the planning and organization as well as servicing of and follow-up to meetings of the Committee and the UN Forum of Mayors, and their respective Bureaux, as well as preparatory meetings, including compiling background information and papers and preparing presentations. This also includes informal consultations in June and July on the outcome document for the UN Forum of Mayors. • Drafting, providing input on, and editing meeting documents and reports as well as website content, conducting related research. • Supporting communication efforts by drafting correspondence and tracking responses; press releases and informational newsletters and social media posts for participants, particularly local authorities. • Assisting the secretariat with its day-to-day tasks, as required. Within the unit, the UN4UkrainianCities project is dedicated to supporting Ukrainian cities on their path toward sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban development. It aims to support the cities of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv rebuild and thrive despite challenges. The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer of the UN4UkrainianCities project. The intern will assist the project in: • Support the planning, organization, and delivery of meetings and workshops, including compiling background information, preparing papers, and developing presentations. • Draft and refine concept notes for new urban-innovation and public-space initiatives. • Support review of deliverables from implementing partners, ensuring they align with agreed-upon urban-planning and design standards before final approval. • Prepare analytical presentations and briefing papers – translate findings/projects into clear graphics, schematics, and data-driven visuals. • Drafting, reviewing, and editing meeting documents, reports, website content, and conducting related research. • Performing other day-to-day tasks as required by the project.

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). 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. Applicant 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 within 1 year. 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 have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. Knowledge of Adobe package including InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop is desirable. This internship opportunity comprises two separate assignments: a 3-month internship supporting the UN4UkrainianCities project, and a 6-month internship supporting other activities of the Cities Unit. Please indicate clearly which of the two internships you are applying for, noting that you can apply for both and if so, indicate that here.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Due to the nature of the project, knowledge of Ukrainian is desired for the internship on the Ukraine project.

Candidates for the UN Internship Programme are required to cover the cost of travel including visa, accommodation, health insurance and other living expenses for the duration of the internship.

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.

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.