Thought Leadership and Strategic Engagement Internship, Global Programme Division, Director’s Ofiice, New-Your HQ (3 months/onsite-or remote)

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, a bright future

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

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child across all programmes and operations, with a focus on equity, prioritizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children to ensure they have equal opportunities to survive and develop.

Within this, the Global Programme Division (GPD) drives programme excellence by providing global strategic leadership, developing standards, and generating high-impact, evidence-based solutions that link global policy with implementation.

Complementing this structure, Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Nairobi, Panama, Amman, and Bangkok provide high-quality, demand-driven technical assistance to Country and Regional Offices. These centres function as a single-entry point for support across policy reform, programme design, public finance, and institutional strengthening, ensuring that global standards are informed by implementation experience.

As the Division transitions from set-up to delivery, there is an increasing focus on strengthening Programme Thought Leadership and strategic engagement, both internally and externally. This includes consolidating key intellectual products and enhancing how the Division communicates its work, influences global conversations, and engages partners.

This internship will support these priorities within the Director’s Office, offering exposure to global policy, communication, and programme delivery.

How can you make a difference? 

In this role, you will support the Office of the Director of the Global Programme Division across two priority areas:

Programme Thought Leadership, Set-up and Delivery

You will support the establishment and operationalization of the Division’s Programme Thought Leadership space, contributing to the following streams:

• Journal / Field Notes series: Support the structuring and launch of a series capturing field-based insights and lessons learned.
• Staff Working Paper series: Contribute to the development of an internal analytical platform, including formatting, coordination, and review processes.
• Staff engagement (e.g., book club): Support the design and operationalization of internal engagement initiatives to foster dialogue and learning.

You will play a project management and coordination role, helping move these initiatives from pilot stage to structured implementation.

Strategic Internal and External Engagement

You will support strengthening the Division’s strategic communications and external visibility:

• Director’s external engagement: Support the development and management of a pipeline of LinkedIn articles and posts, including drafting, editing, and publishing.
• Newsletter: Contribute to refining and coordinating an organization-wide newsletter.
• Digital presence: Explore and support additional communication channels (e.g., Instagram, WhatsApp), aligned with strategic objectives.
• Strategic messaging: Support the drafting of key messages, talking points, and communication materials for internal and external audiences.
• Staff engagement: Support internal communication and engagement efforts across staff networks and platforms.

Expected results

By the end of the assignment, the intern will have:

• Supported the transition of key thought leadership initiatives from pilot to structured implementation, measured by clear success benchmarks.
• Contributed to at least one published or externally shared thought leadership product.
• Helped establish a more consistent and structured engagement pipeline.
• Contributed innovative ideas to engage staff and partners.
• Strengthened coordination and strategic messaging within the Director’s Office.

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

• Have the following eligibility requirements.
• Be enrolled in or have recently completed (within the past year), a graduate or advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, economics, social sciences, political science, international development, communications, or related disciplines).
• Strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise, and compelling content for different audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Analytical thinking and intellectual curiosity, with an interest in global policy, development, or strategic communications.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and synthesize inputs into structured outputs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools; familiarity with digital or content management platforms is an asset.
• Experience or interest in consulting, strategy, research, communications, or digital engagement is an advantage.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken), an additional UN language is an asset.

Benefits to intern

• Exposure to high-level strategic discussions and global programme priorities.
• Opportunity to contribute to thought leadership influencing global policy and partnerships.
• Hands-on experience in strategic communications and executive office support.
• Experience working in a multicultural, mission-driven environment.

Modality and conditions

The internship is full-time, either onsite in New York or remotely (time zone permitting). Interns may take up to 2.5 days per month off work for any reason. The stipend will be reduced for absences beyond this quota.

Start date: June (3-month duration). Candidates should indicate availability in their application.

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.