Internship, HIV/AIDS Section, Programme Division, UNICEF

The internship is focused on data collection, research, communications and fundraising material development. It may also involve some small project planning and coordination.

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 fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, hope.

The UNICEF Internship Programme offers qualified and eligible students at both Headquarters (HQ) and Country Offices (CO) the unique opportunity to acquire direct practical experience in UNICEF's work and the United Nations system under the direct supervision of experienced UNICEF staff.

Background and purpose:

In 2016, due to a reduction in allocations from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), UNICEF has experienced serious resource constraints to fund its ongoing HIV programme.  In order to mitigate the budgetary reductions and to reorient the UNICEF response to children and AIDS programming, the HIV/AIDS Section developed in 2017 a Resource Mobilization Strategy (RMS) to strengthen its position as a partner of choice for children's and adolescent’s HIV/AIDS-related outcomes among governments/public as well as private philanthropic actors around the world. The RMS advocates for better collaboration of the section with the Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP) and the Public Partnership Division (PPD) for sustainable partnerships, and mobilization of flexible and predictable resources for the UNICEF’s Strategic Plan HIV/AIDS results within the larger 2030 SDG agenda.

Since then, the HIV/AIDS Section has undertaken a number of initiatives and actions to implement the RMS. An Operational Plan has been developed and shared as part of the Regional Adviser’s meeting in May 2017. At the same time, the Section hosted its first Partner Meeting together with PPD to share its strategic vision with partners including the donor community and consult on the way forward. Parallel to that a number of other actions have taken place to make the HIV/AIDS Programme more visible to donors and explore options for support and collaborations with traditional funders.

To better outline the scope of investments and why partners should invest in UNICEF, the HIV/AIDS Section should be able to regularly conduct and update its donor landscape analyses, identify new partners that can make things happen and use current partnerships to advance the cause. In addition, since donors network with each other, the Section needs real-time intelligence on what donors are thinking, streamlining communication between UNICEF offices, and bottom up mechanisms that enable regional/global multi-platform proposals that match donor country priorities.

Overall Objective:

The intern will assist in the overall internal and external communication and knowledge sharing, particularly supporting the Resource Mobilization Specialist in carrying out specific duties as defined below with fundraising actions for flexible funding, including regular resources and thematic contributions. The internship is focused on data collection, research, communications and fundraising material development. It may also involve some small project planning and coordination.

The intern will also provide direct programmatic and administrative support to the Resource Mobilization Specialist and occasionally to the broader Programme and Planning Cluster in the HIV/AIDS Section in the areas of grant management, budget planning & analysis and relevant admin issues.

Specific Roles & Responsibilities:

•     In coordination with the advocacy unit, and based on available communications, coordinate the mechanism and process between HQ and regional offices for provision of programmatic input to global thematic fundraising proposal to ensure that the HIV/AIDS toolbox is developed and key regional themes/priorities are included in the marketing/fundraising materials of the section as well as the new thematic funding pools (in collaboration with PPD).

•     Construct/expand/update existing donor landscaping analyses, identify new and potential HIV/AIDS donors (private); expand and update public donors, identify key areas of interest and highlight potential areas for investment and joint collaborations.

•     Update the donor database, abstracting data for targeted countries including data on CPD result matrix, expenditures, core HIV capacities etc. from multiple sources.

•     Map key global HIV/AIDS events 2017-2018 and develop potential fundraising Calendar for the Section. 

•     Based on RMS, and in collaboration with PFP, draft a template for an engagement plan with PFP for 2017-2018. Make necessary follow-up on the engagement plan with PPD.

•     In coordination with PPD, and aligned to the Cause Framework and other organizational yearly milestones draft key inputs to provide recognition and visibility, to the HIV/AIDS outcomes to be reflected in thematic funding donor packages.

•     Assist with other duties as needed in the Programme and Planning Cluster comprising of support to grant management, budget planning and analysis as well as relevant admin issues.

Expected results: (measurable results)

•     HIV/AIDS toolbox is developed and key regional themes/priorities are included in the marketing/fundraising materials of the section as well as the new thematic funding pools (in collaboration with PPD).

•     Updated donor database and landscaping analyses, with identified new and potential HIV/AIDS donors (private); updated public donors, identified key areas of interest and highlighted potential areas for investment and joint collaborations.

•     Calendar of key global HIV/AIDS events 2017-2018 and potential fundraising opportunities.

•     Resource mobilization engagement plan template developed.

•     Key inputs drafted to back recognition and visibility, to the HIV/AIDS outcomes for reflection in thematic funding donor packages

Benefits to intern:

•     This internship will complement current academic training and provide exposure to the global children and AIDS programming, particularly the work around elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (EMTCT), pediatric and adolescent HIV and child rights development agenda, as well as donor landscaping analyses.

•     The intern will expand existing skills in technical writing, organizational and communication experience, gain hands-on experience organizing the communications mechanism and process between HQ and regional offices, and apply newly acquired research skills to identify pertinent and timely content for the engagement plans with PFP for 2017-2018 and funding donor packages.

•     This internship will provide the chance to test out potential career choices in the area of advocacy, resource mobilization and development, by gaining real-life experience in a culturally diverse international organization.

Start date: o/a 1 September 2017             End date: 31 January 2018

Duration: 5 months (the duration of an internship is normally between six and sixteen weeks. The internship can be extended, however, the total duration of the internship should not exceed six months).

Qualifications: 

• Be enrolled in a graduate-level university degree in (e.g. strategic communications, marketing, public relations, and international relations), in good academic standing.
• Strong knowledge of relevant computer systems and applications; excellent knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet navigation skills, is required.
• Fundraising or marketing experience related to loyalty and customer relationship management (including print, online or social media, charities, NGOs, advertising, public relations, and sales strategy).
• Strong oral communication skills with fluency in English is required, and preferably one other UN language.
• Excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills.
• Understanding of fundraising models and best practices, including high-level official development assistance trends and UN agency-specific funding channels and windows a plus.
• Proven organizational and project management skills and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines while working on diverse projects under pressure.
• Ability to operate in a diplomatic environment, using tact and judgement.
• Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.
• Interest in strategic communications, fundraising and brand loyalty.
• Understanding of UNICEF’s mandate is a must.

Please send applications including resume, cover letter and P11 form through the link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_46744.html and upload the aforementioned documents in the internship database on the UNICEF website.  We also recommend that you send an email to nyasrebi@unicef.org and smorrison@unicef.org to confirm that the application has been submitted via the UNICEF website.

Additional information

Stipend Payment:

The HIV/AIDS Section of UNICEF will not pay for the services as an intern and all the expenses connected with these services must be borne by the intern. All costs related to travel, insurance, accommodation, and living expenses must be borne by either the intern or his/her sponsoring institutions. There is no expectancy of employment at the end of the internship. For more information http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_internship.html

Visa:

UNICEF is not responsible for obtaining or paying for any necessary visas or costs incurred.

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 his/her work with the UNICEF HIV/AIDS Section.

Living Conditions and Working Environment:

The intern will work in UNICEF Headquarters in New York. S/he will work with the HIV/AIDS team in the Management and Planning Unit and report to the Resource Mobilization Specialist. S/he is not expected to travel during the assignment.

Duration:

The internship period will be for five months. Please specify in your cover letter what your exact availability (dates) will be. The intern is expected to be available 1-2 days per week.

Confidentiality:

Interns must be discreet and keep confidential any and all unpublished information obtained during the course of the internship and may not publish any documents based on such information.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values are Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and our Core Competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.