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.

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 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 the strategies and approaches that translate into concrete results for children worldwide.

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.

Expected scope of work 

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

Tasks will include the following:

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

• Support exclusive meetings, note taking of the most important information, as well as, action items and drafting post-meeting follow-up notes

Knowledge management:

• Working with the knowledge management focal point to create dedicated closed SharePoint files to store documents for the PG Director

• Maintain SharePoint and set up a user-friendly, clear, accessible filing system and guidance for colleagues

Communication

• Assist in implementing the internal communications plan, including preparing for townhall meetings, etc.

Event organization: 

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

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 be eligible for this internship, applicants must: 

• Be at least 18 years old
• 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.
• Be fluent in English. Proficiency in another UN language is an asset
• Have no immediate relatives (e.g. father, mother, brother, sister) working in any UNICEF office and no other relatives in the line of authority to which the intern will report.

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

The following are considered assets: 

• Project management skills
• Proven writing skills

The following supporting documents are required: 

• Letter of verification from the college or university that the intern is currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate school It should also state the expected graduation date.  Recent graduates are allowed until 2 years after degree completion.
• Copy of their most recent official transcript showing excellent academic performance
• Copy of Identification Card (ID)
• One letter of signed recommendation on letterhead or from professional email address
• Certification of health insurance covering the full internship period

Benefits to intern:  

• Build skills across a spectrum of responsibilities
• Exposure to and chance to engage with multiple topics and UNICEF’s various programmes
• Opportunity to support UNICEF at a high level that translates into impact on on-the-ground operations
• Experience a multicultural working environment unique to UNICEF

Modality: The internship is full-time, either onsite in New York or remotely, if in an appropriate time zone.

Duration: Up to 26 weeks (full time). 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

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.

Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

All selected candidates will 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.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). 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.

There is no expectancy of employment at the end of this internship