Request for Internship- Social Policy Section

UNICEF supports the Jordan Government, in partnership with NGOs and civil society, to strengthen capacities to address inequities and disparities in access to quality essential social services, especially basic education and protection of children. UNICEF focuses on generating and strengthening the management of information for optimal planning and implementation of inclusive and child friendly policies in health, education and child protection. UNICEF's humanitarian response to the Syrian refugee crisis includes support to child protection, education, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), child cash grant and nutrition for children and families in camps and host communities.

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.

Background and Objective:

Jordan is a middle-income country where UNICEF’s comparative advantage is technical assistance and evidence-based advocacy to support child-friendly Government programs and policies. With the recent humanitarian situation and greater attention to vulnerable children, it has become even more imperative and relevant for UNICEF to demonstrate and advocate for “what works” to effectively and efficiently achieve results for children.

UNICEF supports the Jordan Government, in partnership with NGOs and civil society, to strengthen capacities to address inequities and disparities in access to quality essential social services, especially basic education and protection of children. UNICEF focuses on generating and strengthening the management of information for optimal planning and implementation of inclusive and child friendly policies in health, education and child protection. UNICEF's humanitarian response to the Syrian refugee crisis includes support to child protection, education, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), child cash grant and nutrition for children and families in camps and host communities.

Within UNICEF Jordan Country Office, the social inclusion and policy outcome facilitates UNICEF in two dimensions: first, strategic positioning as a knowledge hub on the situation of children through research, evidence, cross-sectoral policy alternatives, advocacy, and innovations; second, integrated social protection services for the most vulnerable children in Jordan irrespective of nationality and status. Public Finance for Children (PF4C) is a major work area under the social inclusion outcome with the goal “to contribute to the realization of children’s rights by supporting the best possible use of public budgets.” Given the cross-sectoral nature of the Social Policy unit’s work, the objective of this internship is to contribute to preparing briefs and papers on the situation of Children in Jordan through data collection, analysis, and writing, and support implementation of UNICEF PF4C component.

Scope:

Under the supervision of the Social Policy Specialist, the intern will support the production of advocacy material and Knowledge management products within UNICEF JCO priority areas and social inclusion outcome.

Methodology:

Given the specificity of different products, the intern is expected to use a wide range of research methods including primary and secondary data collection and analysis. The candidate should be comfortable with reviewing and understanding public finance documents, and using different economic analysis techniques meetings will be organized to provide guidance and advice, if necessary. The intern will be exposed to learning and personal development opportunities within UNICEF and also with the partners including humanitarian response.  

Work assignment (Specific activities to be conducted):

The intern is expected to assist with the following:

• Contribute in preparing internal and external reports through data collection, analysis, and writing.
•  Contribute in producing fact sheet and information briefs on the situation of children in Jordan.
•  Contribute in preparing briefs on the situation of public finance for Children in Jordan.
• Develop/update specific advocacy messages on key UNICEF Jordan priority issues.
• Provide support to other UNICEF sections in the implementation of their advocacy plans through research and technical advice.
• Coordinate with the communications section to disseminate research findings and KM products

Candidate qualification (if any):

• Master’s degree preferably in Public Policy or Economics.
• Strong background in Public Economics and Public Finance is highly desired
• Experience working in a relevant policy sector.
• Fluency in English, knowledge of Arabic is an asset
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Advanced skills in Excel
• Experience in data collection and analysis software (STATA/SPSS/ NVivo) is considered an asset. 

Duration of the internship:

October  2018 – January 2019 (three months with possible extension)

For every Child, you demonstrate: 

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

• Candidates will not be considered if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.
• UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.