INTERNSHIP: Parenting Intern (full time, 26 weeks) – GCA, NYHQ – Requisition# 579704

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, an Intern

This internship is located in the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting strategy implementation across the parenting advocacy thematic area.

Working under the Advocacy Specialist, the intern will support UNICEF’s delivery of its advocacy strategy on parenting and play.

The intern’s key task will be to support the implementation of the parenting and play advocacy strategies. The intern will also undertake knowledge sharing projects to help leverage platforms for joint learning in the parenting advocacy thematic area.

The intern’s main day-to-day tasks will include:

• Conducting desk research on parenting and play topics, analyzing trends, and compiling information to support ongoing initiatives.
• Writing short reports, briefs, etc on parenting and play advocacy initiatives.
• Supporting development and dissemination of advocacy assets.
• Participating in planning meetings and other events.

To fill this role, we are looking for someone with a background in international development, international affairs or related areas who sees themselves in an NGO/non-profit sector advocacy or communications role in the future, and wants to further their skills in communications and advocacy. A background in communications, advocacy, media or related fields with demonstrable issue expertise in parenting or international development would also be acceptable.

If that sounds like you, apply by submitting your CV and a PowerPoint presentation of no more than 5 slides, which answers the following questions (this is your cover letter, no other cover letter is necessary):

• Who are you, and why do you care about advocacy for parenting support and playful parenting?
• The project you will be working on is about ensuring universal parenting support for every family, with playful parenting as a critical component. In your PPT:
  • Name this advocacy campaign for universal access to parenting support.
  • Name the two most important partners/stakeholders we should be partnering with, and explain why you have chosen them.

Advice:

• We’re looking for a ‘read deck’ not a ‘presentation deck’. You won’t be asked to give your PPT as a lecture, it’s more like a brochure.
• That said, keep it tight. You don’t need to go over approx. ~600 words for this PPT
• We want good writers, so make your copy shine.
• Send your PPT as a PDF only.

Estimated start date 3 March 2025 

To qualify as a champion for every child you should…

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. degree programme in public policy, communications, international development, early childhood development, or related fields or have graduated within the past two years.
• Have good academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records
• Have a relevant background in international development or related fields. Experience in a prior NGO/non-profit role is an asset.
• Excellent writing and research skills, including experience in writing short reports and briefing notes.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
• Experience and/or knowledge of advocacy initiatives in a low-income country is an asset.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Additional Information

This is a paid internship with a monthly stipend.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. A competitive process will be followed to identity an Intern.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness(3)Drive to achieve results for impact(4)Innovates and embraces change(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity(6)Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we 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 staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks 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 promote 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. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:  

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages to apply all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary 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.