Intern Foresight and Futures Work
AI summary
UNFPA is recruiting a full-time intern in Nairobi (remote) to support its corporate strategic foresight agenda under the Strategic Plan 2026–2029. The internship runs from September 2026 for an initial three months, with the possibility of extension, and focuses on Futures Trend Analysis, foresight integration into country programmes, training support, and knowledge management. The role offers hands-on experience working with headquarters, regional and country offices, and UN partners on anticipatory governance and adaptive programming.
- Full-time UN internship based in Nairobi, remote-eligible
- Starts September 2026 for three months, with possible extension
- Supports Futures Trend Analysis and UNCT foresight exercises
- Involves training, webinars, toolkits and knowledge management
- Offers exposure to UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026–2029 work
AI job guide
Use this guide to check salary signals, requirements, documents, application steps and safety before you apply.
AI salary guide
Not enough public dataNot enough public salary data is available for this exact role. Before applying, prepare to ask about gross pay, benefits, contract length, probation period, transport and any allowances.
Can you qualify for this role?
- UnclearRelated work experienceThe text mentions experience, but the exact level should be confirmed at source.
- RequiredEducation or certification mentioned in the postThe captured text mentions education, a diploma, certificate, or licence.
- PreferredPractical evidence in internship, part_time, entregadorThe tags and summary point to skills connected with this role.
- RequiredAvailability to work in NairobiThe vacancy is associated with this location.
- UnclearComfort with the Internship contract termsConfirm hours, duration, probation and benefits at the original source.
Documents to prepare
- Likely requiredUpdated CV
- Role specificCover letter or short employer message
- OptionalProfessional references
- Role specificAcademic or professional certificates
- VerifyID or passport only after verifying the employer
Application tips for this job
- Place your strongest Intern Foresight and Futures Work evidence in the first half of your CV.
- In your cover letter or employer message, connect your experience to UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund and the role in Nairobi.
- Add concrete examples related to internship, part_time, entregador, ideally with measurable outcomes or clear responsibilities.
- Follow the instructions from Impactpool Kenya; avoid sending documents to unofficial contacts or copied links.
- Confirm the deadline, interview location and employer contact before sharing personal documents.
- Prepare a polite question about pay, benefits and contract terms for later interview stages.
Source and safety check
- Impactpool Kenya
- Original source link available
- Application method is clear
- Deadline not specified
- No major risk signal was detected in the captured text.
Never pay for interviews, shortlisting, medical checks, uniforms, or job placement. Confirm every application at the original source before sharing personal documents. Report suspicious listing.
Interview preparation
- What experience makes you a strong fit for this Intern Foresight and Futures Work role in internship, part_time?
- How have you handled responsibilities similar to those in this job post?
- Are you available to work in Nairobi under the listed contract or schedule?
- Prepare examples with clear responsibilities, tools used and measurable outcomes.
- Review the source and research UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund before the interview.
Ask what the first priorities will be in the role and how success will be measured.
Similar jobs to consider
Use AI to apply better
After confirming the original source, use Career Assistant to check role fit, tailor your CV and prepare a cover letter or employer message.
Original source description
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (Remote)
Hiring Unit: Strategic Planning Branch, Programme Division
Full/Part-time: Full-time
Duration: September 2026, for an initial period of three months, with the possibility of extension.
About the Position
Under the overall supervision of the Foresight and Development Results Adviser and in close collaboration with the Foresight Analyst, the intern will support the institutionalization of upcoming foresight initiatives and interventions across UNFPA.
Strategic Foresight is a corporate priority under the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026–2029, reflecting the organization's commitment to strengthening anticipatory governance, adaptive programming, and long-term decision-making in an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment.
UNFPA Headquarters is supporting a growing number of Country Offices and United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) in conducting Futures Trend Analysis (FTA) and other strategic foresight exercises to inform country programme design, strategic planning, policy development, and organizational transformation. The increasing demand for technical support, analytical products, capacity development, and knowledge management has created a need for additional support to advance and scale this work across the organization. This work is supported by AI-assisted tools for horizon scanning, signal classification and clustering, developed in-house and applied under human review at every stage of analysis.
Within this context, the intern will contribute to the implementation of UNFPA's corporate foresight agenda by supporting Futures Trend Analysis (FTA), the integration of foresight into Country Programme development processes, UNCT foresight initiatives, foresight knowledge management, and the development of practical tools, guidance, and learning resources. The intern will also support research, horizon scanning, trend analysis, stakeholder engagement, and the documentation of emerging practices to strengthen institutional foresight capacity across UNFPA.
The internship provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on
Experience
in applying strategic foresight within an international development organization while working closely with Headquarters, Regional Offices, Country Offices, and United Nations partners. The intern will be exposed to innovative methodologies for anticipatory governance, scenario thinking, systems analysis, and adaptive planning in support of the implementation of the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026–2029.
Tasks and
- Bachelor's or Master's degree (enrolled in the final year of study or graduated within the past 12 months) in Futures Studies, International Development, Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Demography, Development Studies, Data Science, International Relations or another relevant discipline.
- Demonstrated interest in strategic foresight, futures thinking, scenario planning, systems thinking or strategic planning.
- Strong research, analytical and writing skills.
-
conducting literature reviews and synthesizing complex information.
- Familiarity with qualitative research methods and data analysis is desirable.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications;
with AI tools;
with visualization or collaboration tools is an advantage.
Learning Elements
Upon completion of the internship, the intern should have:
- Increased understanding of the work of UNFPA and the implementation of the Strategic Plan (2026–2029).
- Practical
applying strategic foresight methodologies within an international development organization.
- Improved knowledge of horizon scanning, trend analysis, weak signal identification, scenario development and futures methodologies.
- Enhanced understanding of demographic change and its implications for sustainable development.
-
supporting United Nations Country Team foresight exercises and strategic planning processes.
- Increased knowledge of integrating foresight into country programme design and adaptive management.
- Strengthened research, analytical, facilitation and communication skills.
-
working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team across headquarters, regional and country offices.
- Improved understanding of innovation, anticipatory governance and organizational learning within the United Nations system.
- Practical
applying and evaluating AI-assisted methods in foresight, including prompt design, signal classification, and human-in-the-loop verification.
Financial Aspects
Interns do not receive a salary or any other form of remuneration from UNFPA. The costs associated with participation in the internship programme must be assumed either by the nominating institution or by the intern. UNFPA provides a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses where the intern is not financially supported by another institution or scholarship programme. The amount of the stipend varies according to the duty station and internship modality.
Interns must have valid medical insurance for the duration of the internship. Proof of insurance must be submitted before the internship begins. UNFPA does not provide medical insurance for interns.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume (CV) and cover letter in a single PDF to
whe@unfpa.org
with the subject line: "Application for Foresight Intern"
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the
in strategic foresight within an international development context.
Candidate
with literature reviews
Excellent communication skills
Fluency in English
Strong organizational skills
Ability to work in multicultural teams
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
with AI tools is a plus
Fellowship
Master the recruitment process of the impact sector!
Become a fellow and gain access to Impactpool's premium material that will boost your career in the impact sector
Explore fellowship
Show UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund that you are interested in them
Recruiters from the organization will be able to view your profile, contact you for current & future vacancies and engage you on opportunities that match your skills and interest.
Connect with organization
Intern Foresight and Futures Work
UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund
Remote | Nairobi
Both national and international
Internships / fellowships level
Speaks English
Apply
Responsibilities
- Support the design and implementation of Futures Trend Analysis (FTA) exercises for selected UNFPA Country Offices to inform Country Programme Documents (CPDs), strategic planning, and adaptive programming.
- Support the design, coordination, and facilitation of UNFPA-led United Nations Country Team (UNCT) strategic foresight exercises in collaboration with Resident Coordinators' Offices, UN agencies, and other development partners.
- Contribute to the operationalization and delivery of strategic foresight training programmes for UNFPA Headquarters, Regional Offices, and Country Offices, including the preparation of training materials, exercises, and participant resources.
- Assist in planning and delivering global webinars, workshops, Communities of Practice, and other knowledge-sharing events to strengthen foresight capabilities across the organization.
- Support the development and continuous improvement of foresight guidance, learning materials, toolkits, training modules, and knowledge products to facilitate the institutionalization of foresight across UNFPA.
- Support knowledge management by documenting lessons learned, case studies, good practices, and analytical outputs from foresight initiatives to promote organizational learning and cross-country collaboration.
- Support the application and continued development of AI-assisted foresight tools, and support the development of evaluation criteria and test cases, and documenting tool performance to inform iterative improvement.
Requirements
for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
Summary by Impactpool
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is seeking an intern to support its Foresight and Futures Work in Nairobi, Kenya. The intern will assist in implementing strategic foresight initiatives, including Futures Trend Analysis (FTA) and the integration of foresight into Country Programme development. This role involves collaboration with various UNFPA offices and partners, contributing to training programs, knowledge management, and the development of foresight tools. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on
Bachelor's or Master's degree in relevant field
Interest in strategic foresight and futures thinking
Strong research and analytical skills