Childs Rights internship, Childs Rights section, Global Programme Division, 2 months, Geneva (Full time, hybrid)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Rights

Advocating for the promotion and protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate. In over 190 countries, UNICEF supports Governments and civil society in making the Convention on the Rights of the Child a reality for all children. The Human Rights Unit in the Programme Group Leadership Team supports the Organisation in taking a human rights and child rights-based approach to its work at all levels, from policies to programmes. In particular, the Human Rights Unit focuses on promoting greater accountability for child rights, including through engagement with human rights mechanisms.

How can you make a difference? 

The aim of the internship is to support UNICEF’s engagement with human rights mechanisms in Geneva, including the Human Rights Council, the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Periodic review.

The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Geneva-based Human Rights Specialist, and will undertake the following tasks:

• Follow meetings of the Human Rights Council and prepare internal notes to be shared across UNICEF; Review HRC background reports for child mentions;
• Follow sessions of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and prepare internal notes for the record for use by UNICEF country offices;
• Support the Human Rights Unit in the development of guidance and tools for country offices, on topics such as children’s civil and political rights.
• Attend sessions of other treaty bodies and take notes as required.
• Attend other meetings on relevant issues and take notes as required.
• Assist in other activities as required.

 

Learning benefits for the intern:

The intern will have direct exposure with international human rights mechanisms and learn about and contribute to UNICEF’s engagement with these mechanisms.

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Have the following eligibility requirements.

• Education – Ongoing education & Strong interest in Human Rights, especially Child Rights
• Familiarity with international human rights mechanisms
• Fluency and excellent writing skills in English (knowledge of another UN language, especially French and/or Spanish an asset)
• Research experience and skills
• Analytical and conceptual thinking
• Ability to work independently and within a set time frame
• Legal expertise an asset
• Prior experience with permanent missions an asset

Insurance:

UNICEF will not be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the intern’s service, whether on or off UNICEF premises. Therefore, the selected candidate must provide valid proof of enrolment in a health/accident plan prior to starting the internship. The insurance certification should cover the whole internship period.

Required documents as part of internship application.

• Proof of enrollment in a university programme (or proof of completion during past 2 years)
• Copy of most recent official transcript showing excellent academic performance
• Copy of Identification Card (ID)
• One letter of signed recommendation from an academic institution on letterhead or from a professional email address
• Proof of health insurance coverage for the full internship duration

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

During the recruitment process, we may test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our interns, including leave entitlement and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:  

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering the best results for children.

UNICEF Interns must have proof of medical insurance covering their time at the duty station.

UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer, without compensation, if a visa or Proof of health insurance coverage is not obtained, or necessary medical/inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

There is no expectancy of employment at the end of this internship.