Internship: Investigations Section (Digital Forensics), Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI), UNICEF, NYHQ Paid/In-person (New York) or Remote (Part-Time or Full-Time)

Join UNICEF OIAI to support UNICEF investigations. Contribute to accountability and integrity globally. Be part of our dedicated team and make a meaningful impact - apply today!

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture.., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a brighter future. 

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for internal audit and investigation services to UNICEF. OIAI provides independent, objective assurance on the effectiveness of risk management and the effectiveness and adequacy of internal controls.

The Investigations Section is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct, such as sexual exploitation and abuse, serious child safeguarding violations, gross mismanagement, fraud, corruption, retaliation against whistle-blowers, workplace harassment, abuse of authority, violation or willful disregard of UNICEF regulations, rules and administrative instructions that involve UNICEF staff, and relevant non–staff personnel. The Section is also tasked with investigating allegations of certain types of wrongdoing by third parties, such as sexual exploitation and abuse and serious child safeguarding violations as well as fraud and corruption, committed to the detriment of UNICEF.

OIAI conducts investigations in accordance with the International Uniform Principles and Guidelines for Investigations adopted at the 10th Conference of International Investigators and the OIAI Investigations Manual. 

Within the Investigations Section, the Strategy, Intake and Analysis Unit (SIA) is responsible for providing quality assurance of reports, managing the hotline for reporting allegations and conducting initial assessments, among other functions. Investigations teams based in New York, Budapest and Nairobi are responsible for conducting investigations and certain initial assessments.

This role may support either or both Teams.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the overall guidance of the Chief, Investigations and direct supervision of an Investigation Manager, you will undertake the following tasks in support of both teams of the Investigations Section:

* Assist with the ingestion, processing, reporting and review of electronic evidence into our e-Discovery application;

* Assist with researching and developing solutions to automate processing of eDiscovery evidence;

* Assist with researching and developing solutions in the Microsoft Ecosystem to automate case processing;

* Assist with the production and automatization of business intelligence reports;

* Assist with conducting open source searches.

* Carrying out other tasks as may be assigned by OIAI management.

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

* Graduated within the past two years or be currently enrolled in a university or an Advanced Degree Program in an IT or data analytics related field.

* 0-2 years’ experience with an eDiscovery application.

*Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic or Pashto) is an asset.

* Excellent knowledge of MS Office and relevant computer systems (e.g., PowerShell, PowerBI, etc.) and applications.

* Excellent communication, writing and interpersonal skills.

* Good organizational skills and attention to detail.

* Ability to work effectively on multiple assignments simultaneously and adapt to the changing requirements.

Modality: In-person (New York) preferred; remote will be considered  (Part-Time or Full-Time)

Tentative start date: As soon as possible

Duration: 6 months/Paid

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 enrollment in a health/accident plan prior to start the internship with the Health Section.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The 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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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 does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.