Internship with Early Childhood Development Section PD, New York HQ, Requisition #529164

The ECD Section is looking to hire a paid intern for a period of six months to provide support to the partnerships & grants portfolio. The intern will provide support and gain technical expertise in programme development, communication and advocacy, as well as knowledge sharing. The intern will work under the direct supervision of the ECD Specialist (P4) and in collaboration with the rest of the members of the ECD Section, at New York HQ. The intern’s work will be invaluable to the delivery of commitments under major programme grants and partnerships.

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, a better childhood….

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action.

Bearing in mind that over 250 million of the world most disadvantaged children under 5 years of age are at risk of not achieving their developmental potential, UNICEF is working towards ensuring access to early childhood development and quality care programmes for all children. 

In the past years, the profile of Early Childhood Development (ECD) has gained tremendous attention both within UNICEF and in regard to Agenda 2030. There has been progress made in advancing the ECD agenda both in development and humanitarian contexts. Notwithstanding, challenges remain.

Programme development and partnership building are critical elements of UNICEF’s Early Childhood Development agenda to secure adequate resources, forge alliances for multi-lateral collaboration, and drive renewed momentum on ECD at global and country level. Over the last years, given the dominant role of ECD in the SDGs and within the UNICEF Strategic Plan, the HQ ECD team portfolio and workload has grown significantly in both size and complexity.  Additional increased workload is expected throughout 2019. Thus, to address the administrative and operational constraints and to ensure capacity, the ECD Section is looking to recruit an intern to support the immediate needs and the delivery on key of donors’ commitments, interact with country offices and key internal/external partners, and carry out operational tasks.

Objectives of the Internship

The ECD Section is looking to hire a paid intern for a period of six months to provide support to the partnerships & grants portfolio. The intern will provide support and gain technical expertise in programme development, communication and advocacy, as well as knowledge sharing. The intern will work under the direct supervision of the ECD Specialist (P4) and in collaboration with the rest of the members of the ECD Section, at New York HQ. The intern’s work will be invaluable to the delivery of commitments under major programme grants and partnerships.

How can you make a difference?

The intern is expected to provide operational and technical assistance in the following:

Support the delivery of activities and other commitments under the partnerships & grants portfolio:

• Facilitate communication with internal and external partners, including coordinating tasks and acting as focal point for collaborative work.
• Support knowledge management of key global goods/resources as part of global Nurturing Care Framework initiative and UNICEF-LEGO Foundation partnership initiative, including managing/updating sharepoint sites
• Assist in the organization and execution of high-level events. Specific tasks may include: development of event agenda, overseeing preparation of event materials (e.g. background papers, key publications, videos/media products), coordination of travel and reimbursements for event participants, managing invitations and participant list, and liaising with/acting as a focal point for event participants.
• Support day-to-day management of key grants, including assisting with report writing and editing, liaising with key technical leads/focal points, and ensuring that grant activities are on track.

Expected results:

• Repository of ECD materials produced through donor partnerships and through Nurturing Care Framework group available
• At least one high level event organized
• At least one partnerships-related report completed

Benefits to Intern:

• This internship will complement current academic training and provide exposure to the global development agendas.
• The intern will expand existing skills in knowledge management, technical writing, organizational and communication experience.
• This internship will provide the chance to test out potential career choices in the area of ECD, communications and knowledge management, by gaining real-life experience in a culturally diverse international organization.

Location: The internship will be based in UNICEF HQ and it is not expected that the intern will travel during the assignment period.

Duration: This will be a full/part time internship and the duration will be for 3 to 6 months (maximum allowable 26 weeks)

Salary/Payment: In accordance to UNICEF’s guidelines, interns will be paid a stipend of 1500/month. 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: 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 a  advocate for every child you will…

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D. degree programme or have graduated within the past two years in the area of Psychology, Education, Public Health or other Social Sciences.

• Familiarity with the field of ECD, global health or education
• Working experience in the field of ECD, programmes, partnership development/management, and/or advocacy and communication is a strong asset
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Excellent English Proficiency
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment and has excellent inter-personal skills.
• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
• Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
• Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly.
• Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.
• Able to work proficiently under tight deadlines. Fluency in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respective, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

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.