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. 

There are few greater challenges faced by the global community than the twin crises of learning poverty and youth unemployment. In response, the Education Commission (chaired by Gordon Brown, former UK Prime Minister and UN Special Envoy for Global Education) and the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (chaired by Sir Ronald Cohen) came together to create EOF. We aim to improve the education and employment outcomes of 10 million children and youth by supporting governments to utilize a range of innovative finance instruments at scale, including outcomes funds and other results-based financing (RBF) instruments.

EOF supports improvements in the quality of education and skills programs, with a special focus on underserved populations, including the hardest to reach, rural populations, girls, children with disabilities, and refugees. It measures (and pays for) what matters – both core skills like literacy and numeracy, but also critical 21st Century skills such as socio-emotional skills, ICT skills, and other broader fundamentals of a quality education. It helps close the persistent gap between the skills needed by employers and those attained by today’s youth by paying for employment and retention outcomes.

For all the above, EOF pays primarily on the basis of the results achieved, ensuring that taxpayer-funded domestic resources, aid, and philanthropic funds are only used to pay for what works. This is a game-changing way to finance results in education. It is more than just a fund – it is a powerful new set of partnerships and way of working.

Together with our supporters, we believe this is the early stages of a much larger movement. Our approach is at the cutting edge of development finance, shifting risk to the private sector, crowding in private capital, and harnessing the capacity and capability of non-state actors, with huge potential to achieve better outcomes for children and youth around the world.

How can you make a difference?

The Communications & Advocacy intern will become a core part of EOF’s Communications & Advocacy team and support the team with all aspects of our external communications. The intern will report directly to the Chief of Operations, and collaborate with all members of EOF’s team.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT (TASKS):

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following –

• Develop external communications material, including articles, website content, and social media content, showcasing EOF, and driving reach and engagement.
• Provide editorial support through proofreading external communications assets produced across EOF teams.
• Provide logistical support for in-person and virtual EOF events and convenings. This includes external communications, event preparation and execution.
• Support the communications team to build relationships with peer organizations and potential partners through, for example, participating in calls and webinars and managing key communications with external parties.
• Advance the communications team’s internal co-ordination of cross-team projects and tasks through regular engagement with colleagues in other EOF teams.
• Write proposals and prepare pitch materials to promote EOF to potential partners and fundraising prospects. This could include, for example, narrative on the broader innovative finance eco-system and where EOF fits in.
• Prepare supporting materials to be presented at quarterly governance meetings with our board and our Communications and Advocacy sub-committee.
• Assist in the planning, coordination and development of strategic communications projects including a brand review and website build.
• Assist in the development and execution of communications strategies to promote EOF’s impact and advocacy goals e.g. programme launches or promotion of evaluation reports.

DUTY STATION
We have a global mandate with team members based in most continents around the world. However, the majority of EOF’s team are London-based, and candidates may need to be available during a significant portion of UK working hours (to be determined on a case-by-case basis). Remote and hybrid working options will be considered. Please note that EOF cannot sponsor visas for candidates who do not already have the right to work in the UK.

To be considered for this internship, applicants must meet the following requirements.

Essential:

• Enrolled in a degree programme in an undergraduate or graduate school, or a recent graduate (within the last 2 years).
• Excellent academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records.
• Excellent written skills. You can convey complex ideas clearly and engagingly and you can adjust your style to reach a variety of different audiences.
• At least 18 years old.
• Fluency in English is required.
• 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:

• Ability to thrive in a high-energy, fast-paced and entrepreneurial organization.
• Ability to manage a high workload in a fast-paced environment, with strong attention to detail and a high bar for quality; manage concurrent timelines, independently prioritize tasks and work.
• Additional consideration will be given for any relevant communications and/or advocacy experience. Experience implementing communications strategies in a complex or international environment, and experience with digital channels and web design is desirable.
• Familiarity with design and digital communications technology e.g. InDesign, Canva, Content Management Systems (CMS), newsletter distribution (e.g. MailChimp), Google Analytics.
• Familiarity with social media channels – especially LinkedIn – including posting content and use of analytics to optimize content and track performance.
• A degree in a relevant subject, such as communications, international development, political science, education, or a related field, would be preferred.
• Experience or an interest in international development, the global education sector, and international aid is desirable.
• Proficiency in French, Spanish or Arabic is desirable..

General information

• A monthly stipend will be provided for the duration of the internship, which will be determined based on the location of the successful candidate according to current UNICEF rules and regulations.
• The internship is expected to start in February or March 2024 (depending on candidate availability) and last for six months. Please note that candidates who cannot commit to a six-month internship, working full-time, cannot be considered for the internship.

Application process:

• Please apply through UNICEF’s career portal by Friday 22 November 2024.
• The assessment process for shortlisted candidates will involve a written test and two rounds of interviews.
• Unfortunately, due to the potentially large number of applications, we will only be able to contact applicants who are invited to the next stage of the process and will not be able to provide feedback to candidates that are not shortlisted.

Monthly stipend:

Interns will receive a stipend based on their location. USD 1,700 per month in New York, Geneva, and Copenhagen; or 70% of the monthly salary of the GS level 3 step 1 in all other duty stations.

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: 

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.