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, Hope

UNICEF’s Programme Group leads the organization’s efforts to achieve results for the most disadvantaged and excluded children everywhere, following the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022–2025. Work is done in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the international commitments related to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Programme Group provides global thought leadership, influences global policies and partnerships in support of child rights, and provides technical support to UNICEF’s Regional and Country Offices to maximize the difference our programmes make in children’s lives. The division shapes internal policy and practice in priority areas, supports UNICEF’s engagement in key programme partnerships and collaborates with other divisions for fundraising, advocacy and influencing. It also plays a vital role in managing technical talent and promotes a management approach that strengthens connections with Regional and Country Offices and enhances collaboration across sectors and divisions. The Director, Programme Group, guides UNICEF programmes and can commit the organization to programme strategies and approaches aligning with the goals and targets of the Strategic Plan, SDGs and universal Child Rights.

As an intern, you will be supporting the day-to-day functioning of the Programme Group Director’s Office. This is an opportunity to conduct hands-on work in communications, research, meeting support, event management, and more in a dynamic setting at the heart of UNICEF’s operations. Your work here directly supports the director and contributes to creating strategies and approaches that translate into concrete results for children worldwide.

An internship is the perfect way to kick-start your career. Through this internship, you can gain your first experience of daily working life. We offer you the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge you acquired during your studies. In addition to theoretical knowledge, you will also gain initial practical experience.

How can you make a difference?

As part of our team, you will actively participate in the operations of the Programme Group by assisting in meeting preparations, optimizing administrative processes, creating communications, coordinating important events, and researching topics essential for advancing UNICEF’s mission.

Contributing your knowledge and ideas will strengthen our team. In return, we offer you the chance to develop your methodical, social and technical competencies and experiences in an international environment.

As the Content Development Intern, your responsibilities will be multifaceted, encompassing administrative, preparatory, communicative, organizational, and research responsibilities.

Tasks will include the following:

1. Meeting Organization:

• Update or create templates for background notes, talking points, and other tools used by the director and other high-level UNICEF staff to prepare for and follow up on internal and external meetings
• Consolidate inputs from various stakeholders to craft briefing notes and other preparation documents used to inform meetings and communications
• Attending exclusive meetings, taking note of the most important information, as well as action items and drafting post-meeting follow-up notes to be distributed to all parties

2. Communication:

• Assist in implementing the internal communications plan, including preparing for townhall meetings, etc.
• Manage a pipeline of blogs and articles created for and developed by the Director of the Programme Group

3. Event organization:

• Support event organizing by contributing to executive brainstorming, as well as, composing concept notes, save-the-dates, agendas, invitations, and presentations

4. Research:

• Undertake research and analysis on key emerging topics, partner priorities, and other areas to update the director and contribute to UNICEF’s overarching mission

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will…

• Have the following eligibility requirements.
• Be enrolled, within the past year, in a graduate degree program with a preferred major in Economics, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Business or a related field

Other requirements

• Exceptionally strong communication skills, with the ability to distill information succinctly and accurately
• Strategic thinking and planning skills
• Intellectual curiosity
• Hands-on aptitude, emotional intelligence and self-management skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills with a keen eye for detail
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Ability to look beyond the tasks assigned, take ownership of projects and make suggestions on how to improve the role.
• Ability to handle and respect multiple deadlines while working independently with different agents on several projects
• Fluency in English (required); knowledge another official UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) is an asset.

The following are considered assets:

• Project management skills
• Proven writing skills

Work modality:  The internship is full-time, either onsite in New York or remotely, if in an appropriate time zone.  Please indicate your availability in the cover letter.

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.