Under the supervision of the Policy Specialist, P4 (Economist Analysis) and the Chief of the Policy Analysis Unit, the Intern will provide research support for economic and social policy analysis on a variety of evolving and emerging issues, support UNICEF’s signature initiatives and campaigns with clear policy asks, strengthen the evidence-based policy recommendations, and collaborate with partners from governments, civil society, academia and think tanks, and the private sector that are working on relevant issues at global, regional and country levels.
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, human rights..
Under the supervision of the Policy Specialist, P4 (Economist Analysis) and the Chief of the Policy Analysis Unit, the Intern will provide research support for economic and social policy analysis on a variety of evolving and emerging issues, support UNICEF’s signature initiatives and campaigns with clear policy asks, strengthen the evidence-based policy recommendations, and collaborate with partners from governments, civil society, academia and think tanks, and the private sector that are working on relevant issues at global, regional and country levels.
In particular, this Intern’s core responsibility entails providing research and coordination support to UNICEF’s newly launched multisectoral, shared-value partnership called Generation Unlimited (Gen U). This Internship aims at supporting the overall project of Gen U’s Promising Ideas Business Plan Development and Consortium Building by: streamlining the work process with the contracted vendor (a business management consulting firm); collecting, cleaning, synthesizing and analyzing various types of data; using qualitative research methods, such as case studies, to articulate key issues and opportunities for each of the ten promising ideas; coordinating and collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders to help build strong business case for 4-5 promising ideas; and, stimulating creative learning networks by using various digital tools to exchange information.
How can you make a difference?
Provide research support to the Generation Unlimited’s Promising Ideas workstream
- Undertake organizational research on potential backers of the Promising Ideas and draft briefing notes for the senior managers; make suggestions on the Youth-led organizations that are reputable at the global level
- Facilitate brainstorming meetings with appropriate colleagues to support Promising Idea’s youth engagement
- Keep track of and support the maintenance of the database including stakeholders list, meeting notes, etc.
- Liaise with the contracted vendor building the business plans for 3-4 promising ideas over the course of the summer; manage RSVPs for major meetings with key external partners and correspond directly as necessary
- Provide fact-checking on internal documents as needed and keep track of references
- Support and strengthen visual communications of the reports by collaborating with graphic designers to conceptualize a product’s key messages and create static, animated and/or interactive visual tools
Provide support to UNICEF’s internal knowledge exchange and learning network
- Support organizing workshops, brown-bag learning sessions and other types of events with internal and external colleagues to share key progress on the Promising Ideas’ business plan, next steps for partners, etc.
- Explore knowledge exchange opportunities with internal and external partners of Generation Unlimited
- Mobilize internal colleagues, including fellow interns of UNICEF and UN-wide, to lend expertise to Gen U
Provide support to the Promising Ideas team on overall identification and analyses of emerging global trends
- Under the consultation and guidance of the Policy Specialist, identify a specific research agenda that strongly interests the incumbent; draft and edit documents based on key evidence and analysis and solicit feedback
- If needed, collaborate with and provide support to the different Sections of DRP to strategize the document’s utilization of various data by making quantitative analysis an integral part of policy recommendations
- Fact-check knowledge product through various means of validation, verifying facts and figures for accuracy and currency; cooperate with appropriate colleagues to ensure that the products adhere to Brand Guidelines
Benefits to intern:
- The intern will gain knowledge on the variety of economic and social issues facing children and young people, emerging trends, and potential policy responses
- The intern will gain knowledge on developing advocacy strategies to promote policies that protect children and young people
- The intern will gain knowledge about UNICEF’s programmes, including in education, employability, health, education, child protection, nutrition, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, and social inclusion
Location: The internship will be based in the UNICEF House NY and it is not expected that the intern will travel during the assignment period.
Duration: This will be a part time / full time internship and the duration will be from 3-6 months.
Stipend:
In accordance to UNICEF’s guidelines, interns will be paid a stipend of US $1,500 per month for full-time work; part-time internship will be paid accordingly. There is no expectancy of employment at the end of the internship. UNICEF is not responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.
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 enrolment in a health/accident plan prior to start his/her work. If accepted, the intern will be required to provide a copy of health insurance coverage and to fill out the relevant UNICEF forms on conditions regarding service as an intern.
Living Conditions and Working Environment:
The intern will work at UNICEF House, New York. S/he will work with hiring section and report to the supervisor of this internship. S/he is not expected to travel out of this duty station during the assignment. A flexible workspace will be provided. The intern will be expected to participate in Section's meetings, as well as other UNICEF meetings of interest to the student, including the seminar series for UNICEF interns. Guidance will be provided on a regular basis.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D. degree programme or have graduated within the past two years in the area of economics, international relations/affairs, political science, statistics, demographics, development studies or other social sciences. or related fields.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required.
- Experience in conducting high-quality literature reviews
- Demonstrated interest in the field of international development
- Ability to adapt and work in a multi-cultural setting
- Ability to work as a part of a team
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc)
- Strong commitment to the values and principles of the United Nations and to UNICEF's mission, guiding principles and the Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
Other Requirements:
- Letter of verification from the college or university that the intern is currently enrolled in an undergraduate school and has completed at least two years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of an undergraduate degree (if the candidate is 18 years old, this replaces the two-year bachelor’s completion requirement); or, Graduate Degree Program (i.e., Master’s, PhD). It should also state the expected graduation date. Recent graduates are allowed until 2 years after degree completion.
- Copy of their most recent official transcript showing excellent academic performance
- Copy of Identification Card (ID)
- One letter of signed recommendation on letterhead or from professional email address
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. To view our competency framework, please click here.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.