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.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF’s Migrant and Refugee Programme in Italy was set up in 2016 to respond to the large influx of Unaccompanied minors arriving primarily through the Central Mediterranean route.

The protection and social inclusion of unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) constitutes the priority for the work of UNICEF in Italy.  In the area of Child Protection, UNICEF’s focus is on improving child protection standards of the reception system, strengthening the guardianship system and promoting alternative care, as well as supporting protection of children and adolescents in transit zones with the highest concentration of unaccounted children. The 2 pillars of the adolescent programme are 1) giving voice and strengthening participation of adolescent migrants and refugees and 2) skills building for learning and employability of both adolescent migrants and refugees and Italian students. UNICEF

UNICEF National Response in Italy is focused mainly on providing unaccompanied children with protection, improving social inclusion, participation and skills building.

UNICEF also works closely with the Italian National Committee for UNICEF to communicate, advocate for legislative changes and promote social inclusion for adolescent migrants and refugees.

We are seeking a motivated individual who would like to join the UNICEF team in Rome to provide administrative and organizational support to the Country Coordinator, contributing to the smooth and efficient operation of the ECARO O/P in Rome.

This internship is designed to offer valuable professional experience in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment. We value young talent and are looking for a dynamic intern who is a fast-learner and team player and is proactive, resourceful, and keen to learn. S/he should also have a strong passion for making an impact for children.

Responsibilities

Administrative Support:

• Assist in managing the office calendar, scheduling meetings, and coordinating appointments;
• Prepare and edit documents, reports, and presentations as needed;
• Handle email correspondence and respond to routine inquiries;
• Maintain and organize digital and physical files.

Communication:

• Receive and coordinate inputs for the coordinator internal communication;
• Draft and proofread business correspondence and communications.

Meeting Support:

• Prepare meeting agendas, take minutes, and distribute meeting materials;
• Arrange logistics for meetings, including room reservations, audio-visual equipment, and refreshments.

Research and Analysis:

• Conduct research on various topics based on office needs;
• Summarize findings and provide recommendations based on research.

Office Management:

• Help maintain office supplies and ensure the office is well-organized;
• Assist in special projects or tasks as required.

Supervision

The intern will work under the guidance and supervision of the Country Coordinator, in accordance with the standards, norms and procedures of UNICEF.

Condition of service:

The intern will work part-time (50%), in the Rome office, till 31 December 2025. The duration of a part-time internship cannot exceed the equivalent of twenty-six weeks on a full-time basis. Intern is expected to work and be available for calls/meetings during working hours in Rome time zone.

The intern will be paid a monthly stipend (USD 1,700 full time stipend to be prorated based on the actual hours worked).  UNICEF accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during the internship. If not EU citizens, interns have to demonstrate a proof of medical and accident insurance in Italy prior to the beginning of the internship.

Intern is personally responsible for obtaining necessary visa/permit for Italy. However, UNICEF can issue a letter to support the visa application for the selected intern.

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNICEF but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

 To qualify as a/an champion or advocate for every child you will…

• Should be at least 18 years old  and be enrolled in a degree programme in a graduate school or have concluded a graduate programme within the past two years in the following areas: political sciences, social sciences, anthropology, international relations, social communication or related fields.
• Demonstrate strong academic performance through recent university or institution records. Additional consideration will be given to any past professional experience.
• Have fluency in English and Italian.
• Have proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Have no immediate relatives (e.g. father, mother, brother, sister) working in any UNICEF office; and
• Have no other relatives in the line of authority which the intern will report to

Required Skills

• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Be proactive and resourceful;
• Be action-orientated, driven to achieve results;
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Be a great team player;
• Have a hands-on, innovative approach to problem solving and able to see new, creative ways around obstacles.

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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change(
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others.

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.

The deadline for application is Feb 21 2025

Please submit your application via the UNICEF e-recruitment along with the following documents:

• Cover Letter stating your availability (dates) and your motivation;
• Recent university or institution records certificate (if currently enrolled, the latest available from the current enrolment);
• Duly completed online application profile.
• A CV, if available

The selected candidate will have to complete online mandatory trainings and submit the certificate prior to commencement of the internship.

For office-based internship, the selected candidate will be required to comply with  inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements