Youth Participation Adviser Internship, Mbabane, Eswatini (3 months)

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, Protection for every child, the right to Education

How can you make a difference? 

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organisation does — in programmes, in advocacy and operations. The equity strategy, emphasising 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 favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — their rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential and lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realising the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

However, despite decades of solid work in these sectoral areas, inequity persists.  While advancement is being made, continuous efforts must be geared to accelerate progress towards long-term and sustainable development improvements. One strategy of driving significant impacts for the most vulnerable and excluded children who may still be left behind is to ensure lifelong learning, protection, and development. This component is aimed at achieving that all children and adolescents in Eswatini are protected from violence and HIV, are learning, and are equipped with the skills to become active citizens.

UNICEF Eswatini, and more specifically the Lifelong Learning, Protection, and Development section, is looking for a talented young intern who is passionate about working on youth participation, skilling, and empowerment issues and is eager and excited to enhance his/her educational experience through innovative and practical hands-on work assignments. This unique opportunity will allow the intern to actively contribute to UNICEF Eswatini’s mandate and programme priorities, making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and communities.  

OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF WORK

The Youth Participation intern will be supporting the Lifelong Learning, Protection, and Development section, with a particular focus on youth participation.

This role will therefore contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children while enhancing the fellow’s professional development through hands-on experience.

Key responsibility areas, but not limited to:

• Supporting UNICEF to establish a transparent and youth-friendly selection and onboarding process for the new members of the Youth Advisory Board for the period 2026–2028.
• Supporting the Youth Advisory Board to create an alumni network that maintains engagement and institutional memory for members transitioning out of the Board.
• Studying the functions and benefits of YOMA and developing high-quality communications and presentation materials for its introduction and promotion in Eswatini.
• Mapping and supporting UNICEF’s engagement with potential partners who could participate in YOMA and contribute to a broader youth-skills ecosystem.
• Supporting the conceptualization, preparation, launch, and management of both the YOMA programme and the Youth4Change (Y4C) initiative in Eswatini, including providing youth perspectives to enhance relevance and impact.
• Supporting knowledge-sharing activities—online and offline—through dialogues on skilling and employability, as well as drafting and disseminating success stories that highlight youth leadership, innovation, and opportunities.

WORKPLAN AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The Youth Participation intern will directly report to the Chief of Section, Lifelong Learning, Protection, and Development, and work in close collaboration with other team members, also across other sections.  

In coordination with the supervisor, a 3-month work plan will be developed that outlines key activities, expected deliverables and performance indicators. Regular performance conversations will take place on the progress of work assignments to allow the fellow to reflect on achievements and areas needing support. The work plan will be revisited and adjusted as necessary based on project progress.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

The performance of work will be evaluated based on the following indicators:

• Completion of tasks specified in the workplan
• Compliance with the established deadlines for submission of deliverables
• Quality of work
• Demonstration of high standards in cooperation and communication with UNICEF and counterparts where applicable

DESIRED COMPETENCIES, TECHNICAL BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

 Education

• Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s and/or PhD degree programme, or be a recent graduate (graduated within the past 2 years) in field of social sciences, sociology, anthropology, psychology, communications, marketing, and other related fields.
• Applicants must have excellent academic performance demonstrated by recent university or institution records.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 1 year of relevant experience in youth participation, accountability, and/or advocacy for youth-related issues, including but not limited to education, health, mental health, HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights, skilling, and employability, among others.

Technical skills and knowledge

• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Excellent communications skills.

Languages

Fluency in English is required, both excellent verbal and written skills.

ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

Location: The assignment will be carried out in Eswatini with periodic travel to districts in Eswatini, when required. All field travel must be approved prior to any such travel taking place.

Office space and equipment: UNICEF will provide office space and access to other office equipment as necessary. The intern will be provided with a UNICEF laptop.

Working hours: The intern will be expected to work during the official Eswatini Country Office working hours between 7:45 and 16:45, with an hour lunch break between 13:00 and 14:00, Monday to Thursday and from 7:45 to 14:00, without a lunch break, on a Friday, unless flexible working arrangements were discussed and approved.

Payment Schedule: It is expected that the intern will work on a full-time basis.  At the end of each month, the intern will fill out an invoice template attached to the monthly report and payment will be made as soon as the invoice is approved by the supervisor.  

Costs incurred during official travel authorized by UNICEF shall be covered in accordance with UNICEF procedure on Duty travel (DHR/PROCEDURE/2017/11/Rev.1)

Leave: Interns may take up to 2.5 days per month off work for any reason, including for medical reasons. The stipend will be reduced for any absence beyond this quota.

Travel and visa costs: Interns are responsible for covering costs associated with travel to the duty station, accommodation and living expenses, including obtaining all necessary travel documentation such as passport and visas when required.

Insurance: UNICEF will not be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the fellowship period. Therefore, the selected candidate must provide proof of enrolment in a health/accident plan prior to starting the fellowship programme. The intern is responsible for his/her own adequate insurance, including medical, medical evacuation, life insurance or its equivalent, and insurance coverage for illness, injury, disability and death. UNICEF has no obligation for any costs or payments relating to the internship. Individuals must have proof of medical insurance covering their time at the duty station.

CONDITIONS

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
• Applicants must have no relatives (e.g. father, mother, brother, sister) working in any UNICEF office and must have no other relatives in the line of authority to which the fellow will report to.
• The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s DHR Procedure on Internship Programme (PROCEDURE/DHR/2020/007 PROCEDURE/DHR/2020/007PROCEDURE/DHR/2020/007).
• The internship may not commence unless both UNICEF and the intern sign the letter of confirmation and conditions regarding service.
• The intern will be expected to complete a list of mandatory training, including policies on Prohibiting and Combatting Fraud and Corruption; Prohibition of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority and other relevant guidelines for their information and acknowledgement before the programme commencement – such training will be communicated in the offer.
• Interns are not considered staff members of UNICEF and therefore not entitled to the privileges and immunities accorded by member states to UNICEF’s officials and staff members.
• Notwithstanding this status, interns shall observe all applicable rules and regulations, instructions and procedures and directives of UNICEF.
• Interns will perform their functions under the authority of, and in full compliance with the instructions of, the UNICEF Head of Office and the UNICEF supervisor, or any person acting on his or her behalf.
• UNICEF will not accept any liability for claims for compensation in respect of illness, injury or death arising out of related to the internship, except where such illness, injury or death results directly from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the officials or staff of UNICEF.
• COVID-19: UNICEF has a global mandate where all UNICEF personnel, including fellow are required to be vaccinated with the ‘primary series of the WHO-’emergency use listed’ (EUL) approved vaccines, and are strongly encouraged to be up to date on all booster vaccinations. Exemptions from the vaccination requirement may be granted for complementary personnel on medical grounds only.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should provide the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Motivation letter
3. Proof of studies/Certified copies of qualifications
4. References details

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

The 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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.