Social Policy Intern, Amman, UNICEF Jordan Country Office, 5 months (Full-time, On-site)

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, justice

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does – in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an equal opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. 

Jordan is a middle-income country where UNICEF plays a key role in providing technical assistance and advocating for evidence-based child friendly policies and programs.  Over the past two decades, the country has faced a series of external shocks, resulting in significant socio-economic challenges affecting wide segments of the society especially the most vulnerable groups. This demonstrates the need to prioritize social protection (SP) measures and strengthen the national system to be more inclusive and responsive to shocks.

With UNICEF’s support, Jordan’s national SP system has undergone important reforms, including the adoption of the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2019-2025. UNICEF’s social policy objectives focus on expanding coverage for children and vulnerable families, ensuring they have access to integrated SP services throughout the life cycle. This includes supporting the implementation of the NSPS, strengthening national systems, enhancing the availability of data and knowledge on children’s well-being and social protection issues, and facilitating the provision of SP services for the most vulnerable children, regardless of nationality or status.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Social Policy Specialist, the successful intern will provide support the implementation of current programs by the Social Protection & Policy Section, and contribute to the review and development of policy briefs, databases, and analytical and advocacy materials.

 The objectives of this internship are:

• Assist in developing policy briefs and knowledge products within UNICEF SP priorities: National Social Protection Policies, Social Spending and Public Finance for Children (PF4C), and Evidence Generation.
• Support in providing technical review of studies and reports.
• Support the preparation of databases and socio-economic analyses.
• Assist with external coordination, including the preparation of meetings and SP events.

Supervision and guidance will be provided on a day-to-day basis, and regular meetings will be organized to provide guidance and advice, if necessary. The intern will be exposed to learning and personal development opportunities within UNICEF and with the partners as appropriate. The intern will have the opportunity to engage and support some of the current priorities by UNICEF Social Protection & Policy Section, and some work assignments include, but not limited to:

• Assist in the follow up and implementation of activities related to the “Jordan’s National Social Protection Strategy” (NSPS 2019-2025) and the “CBOs Engagement in Social Protection Services” Project
• Support monitoring the macroeconomic outlook, as well as demographic and social trends in Jordan.
• Assist with the review of analytical work and products produced for the purpose of the NSPS update 2026-2033.
• Carry out data collection exercises and support with data analysis and report writing activities.
• Develop/update specific advocacy messages on key policy priorities.
• Participate in a cross-functional capstone project to promote UNICEF operational or programmatic activities.

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

• A completed degree Programme, and have graduated within the past two years, preferably in the field of Public Policy, International Development, Economics, or related field.
• Strong professional writing skills
• Strong and demonstrated skills in research (quantitative and qualitative) and data analysis.
• Demonstrated capacity in providing support to planning and implementation of activities, including coordination and event management skills.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.
• Advanced skills in Excel and Microsoft Office
• Strong background in Public Economics and Public Finance is considered an asset.
• Experience in data collection and analysis software (STATA/ NVivo, SPSS, R etc.) is considered an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

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 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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, all eligible and suitable persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information at any point of the application stage.

This internship is full-time, and on-site at the UNICEF Jordan Country Office, Shmeisani for Jordanian Nationals only.

Interns at UNICEF receive a stipend.

UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if 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.