The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is inviting applications for its Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Internship Programme based in Nairobi, Kenya. This six-month full-time internship offers an outstanding opportunity for students and recent graduates who are passionate about gender equality, economic development, policy research, and women’s empowerment across Africa.

The internship is hosted by the UN Women Regional Office for East and Southern Africa (ESARO), where successful candidates will gain practical experience supporting regional programmes that seek to strengthen women’s economic opportunities, improve livelihoods, and advance gender-responsive economic policies.

This internship provides hands-on exposure to international development, policy research, programme implementation, communications, and regional economic initiatives that directly contribute to the achievement of sustainable development and gender equality across East and Southern Africa.

If you are interested in building a career with the United Nations while contributing to meaningful development work that impacts millions of women and girls, this internship presents an exceptional opportunity.

About UN Women

UN Women is the United Nations organization dedicated exclusively to achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls worldwide.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in July 2010, UN Women combines the work and mandates of four former UN entities that focused on gender equality:

• Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW)
• Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues (OSAGI)
• International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW)
• United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)

Today, UN Women works globally to:

• Eliminate discrimination against women and girls.
• Promote equal opportunities.
• Advance women’s leadership and participation.
• Support women’s economic empowerment.
• Protect women’s rights during humanitarian crises.
• Promote peace, security, and sustainable development.

The Regional Office for East and Southern Africa coordinates programmes across numerous countries while providing technical support to Country Offices and United Nations Country Teams throughout the region.

About the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Programme

The Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme is one of UN Women’s flagship initiatives aimed at ensuring women enjoy equal economic opportunities and greater financial independence.

The programme focuses on helping women gain:

• Sustainable livelihoods
• Access to productive resources
• Entrepreneurial opportunities
• Employment opportunities
• Climate-resilient economic systems
• Social protection
• Financial inclusion
• Skills development

The programme recognizes that women often face structural inequalities that limit their participation in economic development.

These inequalities have been worsened by several global challenges, including:

• Climate change
• Food insecurity
• Armed conflicts
• Displacement
• Economic instability
• Rising commodity prices
• COVID-19 impacts
• Global supply chain disruptions
• Inflation affecting agricultural inputs and food systems

UN Women therefore develops regional programmes that help governments, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society organizations create more inclusive economic systems.

Priority Areas of the WEE Programme for 2026–2027

The internship supports programmes focusing on three strategic priorities.

1. Climate-Resilient Agriculture

UN Women promotes agricultural systems that:

• Increase women’s agricultural productivity
• Improve climate resilience
• Expand access to sustainable farming practices
• Enhance food security
• Increase women’s participation in green economies

2. Care Economy

The programme supports recognition and investment in care work by:

• Improving childcare systems
• Supporting paid care employment
• Reducing unpaid care burdens
• Promoting gender-responsive labour policies

3. Entrepreneurship, Decent Work and AfCFTA

The programme also promotes:

• Women’s entrepreneurship
• Business development
• Innovation
• Social enterprises
• Decent employment opportunities
• Participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

These initiatives aim to increase women’s participation in regional and international markets.

Purpose of the Internship

UN Women seeks an intern to support its Women’s Economic Empowerment portfolio at the Regional Office in Nairobi.

The selected intern will work closely with the Policy Specialist and contribute to research, programme implementation, communications, and administrative support.

This internship offers direct exposure to regional policy development and programme management within one of the world’s leading organizations promoting gender equality.

Internship Responsibilities

The selected intern will perform a variety of professional duties.

1. Economic Research

The intern will assist in conducting and reviewing research on women’s economic empowerment from a gender economics perspective.

This may include:

• Literature reviews
• Policy analysis
• Data collection
• Economic research
• Gender-responsive analysis
• Evidence synthesis
• Background papers

2. Programme Management Support

The intern will support implementation of regional programmes by assisting with:

• Programme planning
• Coordination activities
• Monitoring initiatives
• Project documentation
• Reporting
• Stakeholder coordination

3. Communications Support

The internship includes substantial communication responsibilities.

The intern will assist in preparing:

• Position papers
• Talking points
• Website articles
• Social media content
• Briefing notes
• Communication materials
• Knowledge products

This provides excellent experience for candidates interested in strategic communications within international organizations.

4. Administrative Support

Administrative responsibilities may include:

• Organizing meetings
• Preparing documentation
• Supporting office coordination
• Managing records
• Other assignments requested by the Policy Specialist

Learning Opportunities

During the internship, participants will gain practical knowledge and professional experience in several areas.

These include:

• Gender equality programming
• Women’s economic empowerment
• Gender economics
• African development issues
• Regional policy development
• International development programming
• UN operational systems
• Programme implementation
• Research methodologies
• Communications within international organizations

Interns will also gain valuable insight into how UN Women designs and implements regional development programmes.

Desired Competencies

UN Women seeks candidates who demonstrate its organizational values and competencies.

Core Values

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for diversity

Core Competencies

Successful candidates should possess:

• Awareness of gender issues
• Accountability
• Creative problem-solving
• Strong communication skills
• Inclusive collaboration
• Stakeholder engagement abilities
• Leadership through example

Functional Competencies

Candidates should also demonstrate:

• Knowledge of feminist or gender economics
• Understanding of African development issues
• Familiarity with East and Southern Africa is considered an advantage

Educational Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application.

They must:

• Be enrolled in a postgraduate programme (Master’s degree or higher) in feminist/gender economics or a related discipline; or
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a Bachelor’s degree in feminist/gender economics or a related field; or
• Be enrolled in a mandatory national service programme that includes an internship component; or
• Have graduated within the previous two years and be able to begin the internship within two years of graduation.

Language Requirements

Applicants must possess:

• Excellent written English
• Excellent spoken English

Knowledge of another official UN language is considered an added advantage.

Financial Support

UN Women provides financial assistance for eligible interns.

Interns who are not receiving financial support from another institution, including universities or scholarship programmes, will receive a stipend from UN Women.

The stipend is intended to help cover basic living expenses during the internship.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

UN Women is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Applications are welcomed regardless of:

• Race
• Religion
• Colour
• Gender
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• National origin
• Disability
• Age

Recruitment decisions are based solely on:

• Qualifications
• Competence
• Integrity
• Organizational needs

Reasonable accommodation is available for applicants requiring support during the recruitment process.

Background Checks

Successful applicants will undergo comprehensive verification, including:

• Academic qualification verification
• Employment history verification
• Reference checks
• Background screening

Candidates are expected to comply with UN Women standards of conduct, including policies against discrimination, abuse, harassment, and exploitation.

Important Application Instructions

Applicants should carefully complete every section of the online application.

Incomplete applications, particularly missing education or employment history, may be disqualified before further review.

Before submitting your application, ensure that:

• All educational qualifications are listed.
• Employment history is complete.
• Required documents are uploaded.
• Information provided is accurate.

APPLY HERE

Why You Should Apply

This internship provides an exceptional opportunity to:

• Gain experience with a United Nations agency.
• Build expertise in gender-responsive economic policy.
• Strengthen research and analytical skills.
• Develop professional communication experience.
• Learn programme management within international development.
• Expand your professional network across Africa.
• Contribute to initiatives advancing women’s economic empowerment.
• Receive mentorship from experienced UN professionals.
• Enhance your future career prospects in development, economics, public policy, gender studies, and international organizations.

Visit HERE to learn more about the UN Women Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Internship 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: 14 August 2026

Interested candidates should submit their applications before the closing deadline to be considered for this internship opportunity.

Conclusion

The UN Women Women’s Economic Empowerment Internship offers an excellent pathway for students and recent graduates seeking meaningful experience in international development and gender equality. Working from the Regional Office in Nairobi, interns will contribute to influential programmes that address women’s economic inclusion across East and Southern Africa while gaining practical skills in research, policy development, communications, and programme management.

For aspiring professionals interested in careers within the United Nations, international development agencies, public policy, gender economics, or social impact organizations, this internship provides invaluable exposure to regional development work and the opportunity to contribute to initiatives that improve the lives of women and girls throughout Africa.

For more global internships opportunity visit OFY HERE