Internship, Communication, Windhoek, Namibia (for Namibian Nationals only)

Under the general supervision of the Communication and Partnership Specialist and in close coordination with the Communication Associate, the communication intern will be expected to focus on key young engagement and participation outcomes.

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

UNICEF Namibia embarked on a new country programme cycle (2019-2023) based on an integrated life-cycle approach. The Adolescent Development Learning and Protection Programme component has prioritized adolescents and young people's issues and is geared to implement robust adolescent programming to ensure that all adolescents are learning, healthy, developing and participating in an environment free from violence, exploitation and abuse.

In Namibia about 22% of the population is made up of young people 15 - 24 years. This approach is in therefore also line with UNICEF's Global Generation Unlimited (GenU) agenda to make sure that every young person aged 10 - 24 is in some form of school, learning, training or employment by 2030, further capitalizing on the outcomes of previous successful UNICEF interventions with young people now graduating from the adolescence age group.

Generation Unlimited is a new partnership established to bring together public and private partners, and especially young people to engage young people in every aspect of the partnership, leading, informing, advising and helping implement at every step of the way. UNICEF Namibia therefore fosters strategic partnerships to leverage support for the realization of children's rights because children's rights are everybody's business

It is against this background that the section seeks to provide an internship opportunity to a young person to exercise their right to participation, gain work experience to develop their professional networks and further provide them with an opportunity to put their academic learning into practice.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Communication and Partnership Specialist and in close coordination with the Communication Associate, the communication intern will be expected to focus on key young engagement and participation outcomes.

• The communication intern will be guided to develop key priority tasks with clear and measurable objectives (in collaboration with the Communication and Partnership Specialist). The progress of the plan would be evaluated through periodic formal discussions and frequent day to day feedback from the Communication and Partnership Specialist. The communication intern however must demonstrate some level of independence.
• The communication intern will collaborate and network with key partners such as the Parliament of Namibia, National Council, Business Council and all relevant Government Ministries including the UN, to contribute to the Country Office's external communication work by supporting and participating in various communication and advocacy initiatives/programmes.
• The communication intern will gain hands on experience in working at national and regional levels as well as high level advocacy on various ongoing activities within UNICEF Namibia and may be exposed to field level (when needed)

Key Tasks

Under the guidance and supervision of the Communication and Partnership Specialist, the communication intern must undertake the following tasks and activities:

• Familiarize himself/herself with the UNICEF Generation Unlimited campaign, key issues addressed in the GRN-UNICEF Country Programme 2019-2023, concept notes, terms of references and workplans of key public private partnerships.
• PARLIAMENT OF NAMIBIA: Participate during the Children's Parliament sub-committees planning and preparation meetings. Follow up on and coordinate on the key activities assigned to UNICEF's advocacy component in preparation for the 2019 session of the Children's Parliament scheduled to take place 14-23 August.
• Support the Children's Parliament platforms to prompt and engage young people to use their voices on key issues that needs to be addressed by government and political leaders.
• As part of the Children's Parliament, assist in organizing the CRC@30 Children's Summit. The Summit will engage young people including Members of Parliament and Business Council to allow interaction time with participants regarding CRC@30 gains and losses for Namibia's Children.
• NATIONAL COUNCIL: Participate and support the "Journey Initiative" as part of GenU and as per NCO agreed theme promoting innovative, multi-sectoral programming to reach and empower the most marginalized adolescents with relevant services, information and opportunities. This event is scheduled to take place soon and forms part of the year-long CRC@30 celebrations.
• Support the conceptualization and planning for a 1-day skills fair led by the Junior Councilors under the auspices of the Chairperson of the National Council and in partnership with UNICEF and the Business Council. Develop a detailed checklist in order to prepare and keep track of tasks. This event will take place as a lead up to the CRC@30 celebrations scheduled to take place 20 November.
• BUSINESS COUNCIL: Participate and support the upcoming Business Council meeting on Child Rights and Business Principles scheduled to take place soon. Support and assist with all logistical planning, follow up and coordinate on key activities assigned as per checklist developed.
• SUPPORT TO OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS FOCUSED ON CHILD RIGHTS
• Day of the African child: Participate and support the national commemoration scheduled to take place on 14 June. Follow up on and coordinate on the key activities assigned to UNICEF
• Media Training on CRC and Child Rights Reporting: This training will be conducted in partnership with Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and Namibia Editor's Forum. Develop a detailed checklist in order to prepare, assist and support with all logistical and administrative planning and preparations as assigned.
• Launch of GenU Initiative in partnership with Business Council and National Council. The launch will take place as part of celebrating the International Youth Day. Support creating a platform for participation and engagement particularly with matters that will affect next generations.
• Suggest and share creative and innovative ideas to engage, reach and empower adolescents by strengthening youth engagement platforms.
• Perform any other duties required by the Communication and Partnership Specialist.

Minimum Qualifications & Competencies

To be considered for an internship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is a must
• Ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely
• Possesses strong organizational and detail-oriented skills
• Knowledge and understanding of social issues especially those affecting children
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to multitask
• A degree in relevant field including international development, social sciences, political science or Communication will be an added advantage
• Prior experience and/or knowledge of UNICEF Country programmes of Cooperation will be an added advantage

Terms and Conditions

• The communication intern is expected to cover a period of 3 months, starting on 01 July 2019 to 30 September 2019. The communication intern will be expected to work as per UNICEF normal working hours i.e. daily from 08h00 Mondays - Thursdays until 17h00 and Fridays 08h00 - 14h15
• The communication intern will be based at UNICEF Office in the UN Building. Office space and computer equipment will be provided.
• The communication intern will be given a monthly stipend of N$5,000. This amount includes transport costs.
• Stipend will be paid on a monthly basis against monthly reports on the progress of the agreed tasks.
• UNICEF reserves the right to terminate the contract should the work not be satisfactory. 

Internship Conditions

• The intern must have proof of medical insurance covering the time at the duty station.
• Interns are not considered staff members. Notwithstanding this status, they shall observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions and procedures and directives of UNICEF.
• Interns shall respect the impartiality and independence required of UNICEF and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to UNICEF
• Unless otherwise authorized by the receiving office/division, interns may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any external source any information which has become known to them by reasons of their association with UNICEF. They may not use any such information without the written authorization, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations do not lapse after the end of the internship
• Interns shall refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF and not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of UNICEF
• There is no expectation of employment at the end of the internship assignment.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.