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, empowerment

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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 opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing 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.

UNICEF and the European Union share a common commitment to the realization of the rights of every child globally. The EU Child Rights Strategy, formally known as the “EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child,” is a comprehensive framework launched by the European Commission in 2021 to protect and promote children’s rights across the European Union and beyond. This strategy aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and seeks to create safer, more inclusive, and supportive environments for children both within and outside the EU.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision and guidance of the Brussels-based Partnerships Specialist ECARO, responsible for supporting strategic positioning of UNICEF in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region towards to European Commission and the European Parliament.

UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional office (ECARO[VOS1] ) is in charge of the relations with the EU institutions for the Regional office and Country offices  and[VOS2]  works to prioritize children and UNICEF’s priorities in Europe and Central Asia across EU’s policies, legislation and programmes.

Working with the UNICEF ECARO Regional office and partnership team members outposted in Brussels, the intern will have the opportunity to gain experience about UNICEF’s work for children in Europe and Central Asia and support the office in its partnership and strategic engagement with the EU institutions. Under the respective supervisor the intern will directly support the team in partnership development (including information gathering, data analysis and knowledge management), advocacy for children’s rights and resource mobilization.

 Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor relevant developments and trends regarding EU financing and identify opportunities in the region within and across the development-humanitarian nexus.
• Support strategic engagement and partnership development in key programmatic and thematic priority areas, in particular on reforms on child poverty, education, children on the move.
• Support the preparation and organization of key high level/strategic events and missions, capacity building webinars and Information sessions and where applicable assist with the preparation of background materials and minutes.
• Assist with the updating of key knowledge management products (EU partner profile and intranet page, UNISON).
• Support data gathering and analysis related to the relevant sections and UNICEF Europe and Central Asia’s key priorities.
• Assist in policy advocacy to influence the EU institutions and EU Member States, particularly in relation to the new EU political cycle.

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

Minimum Requirements 

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a recent graduate (i.e. graduated within the past two years) holding an Advance University degree (Master’s or PhD) in human rights, political science, EU studies international development, humanitarian aid, or related field
• Have excellent academic performance as demonstrated by recent university records
• The incumbent must be in position of a valid work/residence permit which authorizes  to live and work in Belgium for the entire duration of the internship. UNICEF is not responsible for obtaining a visa or a residency permit.
• 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 that the intern will report to.​​​​​​​
• Excellent command of oral and written English. Knowledge of French and/or another EU language is an asset.
• Valid health insurance covering the full internship period, to perform the duties of the contract for the entire period of the contract.
• Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment.

Qualifications, Skills and Competencies Required

• Familiarity with the functioning of the EU Institutions; experience related to the European Institutions is a strong asset.
• Proven ability to synthesize information and communicate it simply and effectively. Strong writing, research, and analytical skills.
• Genuine interest in and basic knowledge of children’s rights; understanding of UNICEF’s mandate is necessary.
• Ability to operate in a diplomatic environment, using tact and judgement. Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of office computer systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet research.

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.

Conditions of service:

Duration: 6 months with approximate start in January 2025

Location/Duty Station:  Brussels, Belgium

Section/Team: Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation

Modality: Full-time internship (Home-based and 50 % in person).

Mandatory Courses: Selected intern will be requested to complete online mandatory courses prior to commencement of the internship.

Stipend: In accordance with UNICEF’s guidelines, selected intern will be provided a monthly stipend to cover the duration of the candidate’s internship based on the assignment location. There is no expectancy of employment at the end of the internship.

Supervision: The intern will benefit from ongoing supervision, guidance and coaching by their immediate supervisor throughout the six-month internship; and from those capacity building activities that happen to be organized during the internship.

Learning: A learning and development plan will be agreed with the intern, aiming at enhancing and updating knowledge of EU institutions and policies; improving knowledge on child rights; improving understanding of UNICEF’s activities, policies and organization; and improving basic organization and communication skills.

Insurance: Interns are required to demonstrate a proof of medical and accident insurance prior to the beginning of the internship with the Brussels Officer. Coverage should be valid for the entire duration of the internship. UNICEF is not responsible for obtaining health/accident insurance for the incumbent.

Interns are covered for any service-incurred injury, illness or death under the UNICEF procedure on Malicious Acts Insurance Policy (DHR/PROCEDURE/2019/002) or as amended.

Leave: Selected intern 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. The quota is cumulative over the duration of the internship, but there will be no compensation or carry-over to another appointment for unused leave days at the end of the internship.

How to apply

• Apply online and duly complete online application with your education and employment history .
• Upload the following documents:
  • Letter of motivation
  • Copy of your diploma or a Letter of verification from the college or university that the intern has completed an Advance Graduate Degree Programme (i.e., Master’s, PhD). It should state the graduation date. Recent graduates are allowed until 2 years after degree completion.
  • Copy of your most recent official transcript showing excellent academic performance.
  • One letter of signed recommendation on letterhead or from professional email address.

Candidates with missing documents will not be considered.

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: 

Tentative start date:  6 January 2025 for 6 months (26 weeks). An internship may be terminated by either party, with a notice period of at least two weeks.

This internship is available only to applicants who can legally reside in Belgium for the full duration of the internship.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

If you are interested in undertaking an internship at UNICEF, please complete the online application form. No email applications will be accepted. For more on internship at UNICEF, follow this link: https://www.unicef.org/careers/internships

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements