UN Women: Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Intern

UN Women: Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) Intern About This Opportunity UN Women is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls while advancing equality between men and women across development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security initiatives. The East and Southern Africa Regional Office, based in Kenya, coordinates operations across 12 Country Offices, one programme presence in Somalia, and provides support to 11 UN Country Teams throughout the region. The Women's Economic Empowerment Programme tackles the complex challenges facing women and girls in this diverse region, where climate-related pressures, conflict, displacement, and economic shocks continue to deepen existing gender inequalities. The programme strengthens women's economic autonomy by expanding access to quality livelihood opportunities and supporting women and girls in building innovations, social enterprises, and securing social, economic, and environmental assets. For 2026 and 2027, key focus areas include climate resilient agriculture and transition to blue and green economies, the care economy, and women's empowerment through entrepreneurship development, decent work, and participation in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. Your Role In this internship, you will support the Policy Specialist across multiple dimensions of the Women's Economic Empowerment portfolio: Review and conduct economic empowerment research from a gender economics perspective, contributing to evidence-based policy development. Assist in programme management and implementation, ensuring initiatives reach intended beneficiaries effectively. Produce communications materials including position papers, talking points, website articles, and social media content that amplify WEE initiatives. Handle administrative tasks as needed to ensure smooth programme operations. During your internship, you will develop enhanced knowledge of gender equality and women's economic empowerment, deepen your understanding of gender and economics in development across Africa, and gain practical insight into the programmatic and operational aspects of working within a major UN entity. What We're Looking For You should demonstrate awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues, along with accountability and creative problem-solving skills. Strong written and oral communication abilities are essential, as is your capacity for inclusive collaboration and meaningful stakeholder engagement. We value integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity, and the ability to lead by example. You must possess demonstrable knowledge of feminist and gender economics, along with familiarity with development issues in Africa, ideally within East and Southern Africa. Required Qualifications At the time of application, you must meet one of the following requirements: Be currently enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme such as a master's programme or higher in feminist/gender economics or a related field. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree (bachelor's degree or equivalent) in feminist/gender economics or a related field. Be enrolled in a mandatory national service programme of which the internship may form part. Have recently graduated with a university degree as described above and be able to start the internship within two years of graduation. Language Proficiency Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. Working knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic) is advantageous. Compensation Interns without financial support from other sources such as universities or other institutions will receive a stipend from UN Women to partially subsidize their basic living costs throughout the internship duration. Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment built on mutual respect. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need, regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please indicate this in your application. UN Women maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates must adhere to UN Women's policies, procedures, and personnel conduct standards. Background checks will verify academic credentials and employment history, and selected candidates may be required to provide additional information for this purpose. Important Note Complete all sections of your application form, including education and employment history. Incomplete applications may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.