Internships & attachments · 3 min read
UN internships in Nairobi: who can apply, how long, and the cost question
Who qualifies for UN internships at UNEP, UN-Habitat and the UN Office at Nairobi, how long they last, the rule on pay, and how to apply.
Nairobi hosts UN headquarters for the environment and for human settlements, so UN internships are advertised here every month. They are a real foot in the door, but they come with one rule you need to plan for. Here is what the adverts themselves say.
Who can apply
UN-Habitat internship adverts open in Nairobi in November 2026 required applicants, at the time of applying, to meet one of three conditions:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school programme, such as a master's degree or higher.
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree, at least bachelor's level.
- Have graduated with a bachelor's, master's, PhD or equivalent.
Each advert adds its own skills and language requirements. Some Nairobi posts asked for working French as well as English.
How long they last
The UN-Habitat internships open in Nairobi in November 2026 listed an expected duration of six months. A UNEP one advertised in October 2026 also said six months, and one in political affairs gave three to six months. Some were in person and some hybrid, in Nairobi.
The pay rule
Every one of these adverts carried the same text: interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and the costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
Plan for that before you apply. For many Nairobi based students the internship is workable only alongside family support, a scholarship or part time income.
How to apply
- Search for internships on UN Careers, filtering for Nairobi.
- Create one profile and keep it updated; each internship has its own job opening number.
- Answer the questions on previous UN internships honestly. The adverts ask for the entity and dates.
- Write a short motivation that ties your studies to the office's work.
No real programme charges you to apply, to be shortlisted or to be placed. If someone asks for money for a place, it is a scam.
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Frequently asked questions
Are UN internships in Nairobi paid?
The adverts open in November 2026 state that interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations and that travel, visa, accommodation and living costs fall on the intern or a sponsoring institution.
Can a recent graduate apply for a UN internship?
Yes. The adverts accept people who have graduated with a bachelor's, master's, PhD or equivalent, as well as final year and graduate students.
How long is a UN internship in Nairobi?
The adverts open in November 2026 listed six months. One political affairs advert from October 2026 listed three to six months.