Internship with Child Protection Section  

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, education

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential to the benefit of a better world. UNICEF in Turkey works to improve the foster care system in Türkiye and collaborates with Ministry of Family and Social Services for strengthening the overall alternative care system and establishment of a temporary foster care model in Türkiye.

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF offers the opportunity for talented university, master’s, or doctorate students to gain valuable professional experience. At the same time, UNICEF benefits from working with interns as they are a significant asset, providing updated academic knowledge, technical know-how and other valuable skills to the organization.   The purpose of the internship is to support the coordination and implementation of the ?Improving the Foster Care System in Türkiye-IPA III? project within the Child Protection section. The intern will assist in coordinating and implementing the project, which involves preparing documents for partnerships and meetings, managing records of interactions with NGOs, and facilitating the logistics for various foster care events and activities.   

Deliverables  

• Draft documents and correspondence for supervisor’s review that outline partnership strategies, meeting agendas, and coordination efforts;
• Maintain a record of interactions and agreements with NGOs for documentation purposes, including compiling inputs by stakeholders, reflecting feedback from rounds of consultations and revisions and doing a first-level analysis of information;
• Support to coordinate and manage the logistics for various foster care-related events and activities, ensuring that all necessary resources and arrangements are in place for successful execution.
• By performing these tasks, the intern will have the following learning outcomes:
  • Build professional experience in monitoring and documenting programme implementation,
  • Have exposure to the IPA III foster care project management, specifically to activities and deliverables in its workplan;
  • Have the opportunity to participate and engage in technical discussions and to contribute to strategic documents, in particular those related to developing and establishing a temporary foster care model in Türkiye;
  • Develop skills around communication, networking and building partnerships with key stakeholders such as partnerships with NGOs, foster families and Ministry of Family and Social Services, in particular when establishing a mentoring system for foster families;

The intern will be considered as a member of the Child Protection team and provided with supportive supervision and mentorship. An inception phase will allow the team and supervisor to understand the intern’s academic interests on the one hand and to brief the intern on his or her assignments on the other. A detailed learning plan with associated key child protection will be developed to form the basis of contribution, learning, and deliverables (i.e. reports to keep track of his/her progress as well as to contribute to the official documentation of the Section).

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

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D. degree programme or have graduated within the past two years – Applicants must be at least 18 years old. (Education in social sciences particularly social work, sociology, international relations, law)
• To be fluent in English, with strong writing and communication skills. Additionally, fluency in another official and working language of the UN would be an asset.
• Experience in and/or knowledge of child protection, protection, alternative care systems, foster care will be considered as an asset
• To have excellent academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records.
• Additional consideration will be given for any past experience in related fields.

Duty Station: Ankara

Supervisor: Child Protection Officer

Duration of the Internship: 2 months (with the possibility of extension)

Modality of the Internship: On-site and full-time

STIPEND: In accordance with UNICEF’s guidelines, interns will be paid a nominal stipend per month. There is no expectancy of employment at the end of the internship.

INSURANCE: 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 enrolment in a health/accident plan prior to start his/her work. If accepted, the intern will be required to provide a copy of health insurance coverage and to fill out the relevant UNICEF forms on conditions regarding service as an intern.

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.

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:  

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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

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

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position:

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost).
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Let us know by writing to [email protected]. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility.
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here : Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.