Migration Research Internship, Migration Policy Team, Sustainability and Policy Action Unit, New York

The purpose of the internship is to support the Migration Policy Team to develop policy and advocacy products, which will strengthen UNICEF's evidence and policy acumen on children on the move, through provision of background research and analysis.

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.

UNICEF’s work on children on the move

Child migration is at an unprecedented scale, with one in every 45 children in the world today on the move and an increase in child refugees by 77 per cent in the past five years. Recognizing that migrant and refugee children are often those who are most vulnerable to trafficking, abuse and exploitation, UNICEF has appealed to the international community to bring this issue to the forefront of global dialogue.

To better respond to the challenges facing migrant and refugee children, UNICEF has taken action. UNICEF’s Executive Director has made Migrant and Refugee Children one of the key priority issues of the ‘Cause Framework’, a cross-divisional and inter-regional platform established to enhance cohesion and synergies between UNICEF’s global advocacy, communication, campaigns, policies, programming and fundraising efforts on key organizational priorities.

Tasked with leading the policy dimension of UNICEF’s global migration work, the Sustainability and Policy Action unit (SPA) in UNICEF Data, Research, and Policy Division (DRP) develops policy guidance, produces evidence as well as innovative tools to support UNICEF’s policy action work more broadly. As part of this, DRP in 2017 is

1. Developing publications to drive UNICEF’s advocacy on key concerns for children on the move;
2. Consolidating UNICEF’s policy agenda on key child rights concerns for children on the move; and
3. Providing easier access to guidance, tools, and opportunities to exchange experiences on policy action and children on the move.

Purpose of the internship:

The purpose of the internship is to support the Migration Policy Team to develop policy and advocacy products, which will strengthen UNICEF's evidence and policy acumen on children on the move, through provision of background research and analysis. 

The UNICEF reporting officer is committed to providing the intern with the training, guidance and support necessary to complete the below duties and responsibilities effectively and within the internship period. This will include, but not be limited to, scheduled meetings to assess output progress.

Start date: as soon as possible

Duration: 2 to 4 months at 2 days per week (can be extended but cannot be longer than 6 months)

Main duties / responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and the given organisational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties:

1. Undertaking desk research on key topics related to children on the move, which could include safe and legal migration pathways for children and their families, trafficking and exploitation, access to services (particularly education), and aspects of migration management.
2. Preparing background research briefs on identified priority areas, selecting and analysing the most relevant information, to inform the drafting of policy briefs on identified priority themes.
3. Liaising with other members of the team to participating in internal meetings as required.
4. Identifying opportunities for knowledge sharing and facilitating cross-linkages on migration, through the course of the research.
5. Providing support on additional tasks as required.

Qualifications: 

• Be enrolled in a first-level university degree in (e.g. business or public administration, social sciences, education or related field.) 
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Other languages, especially Spanish, are an asset.
• Knowledge of relevant computer systems and applications; excellent knowledge of MS Office is required.
• Experience in research and analysis is required.
• Experience in migration and displacement is an asset.

The intern will be paid a pro-rated stipend of 600 USD per month for this part-time opportunity.

Candidates must have proof of medical insurance covering their time at the duty station and are responsible for arranging any visa or immigration requirements.

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.