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 champion

Humanitarian action is firmly established as core to UNICEF’s programming and is central to UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021. UNICEF responds to an average of 300 emergencies every year, informing and shaping these interventions as a global leader for children. UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action aims to save lives and protect the rights of children affected by humanitarian crises and to address the underlying causes of vulnerability. The Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) represents UNICEF in many inter-agency and international processes. This includes UNICEF’s global cluster responsibilities. Clusters are sectoral coordination bodies activated in emergency settings to improve accountability, predictability and quality and efficiency of the humanitarian response. The role of cluster lead agencies is to facilitate a process aimed at ensuring well-coordinated and effective humanitarian responses in the sector or area of activity concerned following well-established processes and requirements. The Global Cluster Coordination Section is responsible for managing inter-cluster initiatives and supporting humanitarian reform initiatives in relation to the coordination and planning of the humanitarian response.

SUPERVISION

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of Global Cluster Coordination Section (GCCS) section’s Information Management Specialist.

How can you make a difference?

The role will support efforts to better position UNICEF as a leading cluster agency both internally and externally. As such, the Advocacy Intern will:

• Support the research, collection and synthesizing of qualitative and quantitative information and data to support the development of evidence-based advocacy and communication materials.
• Identify key contacts and opportunities to advance the GCCS advocacy priorities, including updating contact lists, maintaining calendars of events and mapping key stakeholders.
• In collaboration with technical colleagues, develop briefing notes, key messages and talking points for high level meetings for the GCCS Chief, and occasionally for the director of EMOPS Geneva.
• Draft/write/edit letters, reports, speeches, press releases, news articles and other key programme/advocacy/information materials for internal use/distribution and web-based dissemination.
• Assist in the development of the GCCS quarterly newsletter and other communication products to inform, raise awareness and promote key initiatives in close collaboration and liaison with clusters, GCCS Chief and other relevant UNICEF staff.
• Contribute to the preparation of human-interest stories and case studies that show how UNICEF-supported activities have impacted the lives of individuals, families and communities.
• Assist GCCS in the development of the strategy to position cluster coordination both internally and externally, identifying communications needs for different audiences, including donors and contributing to annual planning processes.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Required qualifications/skills:

• Have graduated within the past 2 years, or currently enrolled in, an advanced university degree in social sciences, international relations, international law, child rights and human rights, development planning, or a related technical field.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Have excellent academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records.
• 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.​​​​​​​

Desirable qualifications and skills:

• Ability to think critically and integrate diverse information form varied sources.
• Ability to conceptualize, produce, innovate, plan, and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills.
• Strong communications skills in English, including writing a variety of communications products in a clear, concise style.
• Ability to work as part of team and in consultation with others.
• Pay attention to detail, producing work of a high standard.
• Responds flexibly to changing circumstances, priorities and deadlines.
• Displays creativity and brings new ideas to the table.
• Involve key stakeholders in activities that impact them, keeping them informed of potential delays and problems.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work autonomously and take initiative

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Duration: The selected candidate will undertake the full-time role for 6 months.

Location: Selected interns will be working full-time in Geneva, and will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for interns. Working hours at the duty station are from 9 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. Geneva time.

Visa: The intern will be responsible for obtaining any visa required for them to travel to, live, and work in Switzerland; though the GCCS section will offer guidance on how to complete this process.

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

Insurance: For Geneva-based interns, UNICEF will not be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the intern’s service, whether on or off UNICEF premises. Therefore, the selected candidate must provide proof of enrollment in a health/accident plan with coverage in Switzerland prior to starting his/her internship. Interns are subject to Swiss Law on Medical Insurance (LAMal) and will be required to enroll into a Swiss insurance under LAMal scheme as soon as they receive their Legitimation Card or to request an exemption from LAMal office provided that their insurance is equivalent to or has a better coverage than an insurance under LAMal scheme. More details will be communicated to the selected candidate in due time.

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

Equipment: UNICEF will provide IT equipment to the selected candidate as this is an in-person internship.

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. 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

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online and submit the following documents:

• Resume;
• Cover Letter stating availability and motivation;
• Recent university or institution records certificate (or a reference letter from the academic supervisor confirming a strong performance should the records certificate not be available at this stage); and
• P11 form (the P11 can be downloaded from here: https://www.unicef.org/careers/documents/p11-form) or duly completed online application profile

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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:

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

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid 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. It does not apply to selected candidates who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.