Internship opportunity - Support Adolescent Development and Participation Programme, Beijing, China

UNICEF China is looking for 1 intern to support its Adolescent Development and Participation Programme from July to September 2020.

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 champion 

China is home to 146 million adolescents aged 10-19. Based on the available data from the 2013 national survey by the China Adolescent Mental Health Research Group, an estimated 23% of urban adolescents were found to be suffering from mild to moderate depression and nearly 13% from severe depression.^[1] Furthermore, a recent survey conducted by the National Health Commission (NHC) and UNICEF in 2017, covering 15,415 adolescents from 11 provinces, also showed similar prevalence. The survey found that that 17% of adolescents might suffer from depression, 40% reported self-harm at least once in the past 12 months, and over one third reported feelings of anxiety. A total of 30 million children and adolescents under 17 are estimated to have behavioral and emotional problems in China, among which, about 50 to 70% need mental health services but remain untreated.^[2]

In response, UNICEF has been working with the National Health Commission (NHC) on the Adolescent Health and Development Demonstration Project (AHDP) to lay the groundwork for improvements in adolescent mental health (AMH) service provision. A comprehensive mental health service package has been included in the AHDP to promote and foster positive mental health and emotional well-being, covering key AMH interventions such as interpersonal skills, emotional regulation, problem-solving and stress management.

Building on the project, in close partnership with the Government, academia and adolescents, UNICEF will design and test an adolescent peer education and support approach in both schools and adolescent communities. The key component is the development of a “peer educators” system to empower adolescents in providing adolescent-friendly, self-directed, easily-accessible, and systematic mental health support to their peers.

In addition, UNICEF will support identification of mechanisms and platforms offering opportunities and spaces for unleashing the voice and meaningful participation of adolescents in shaping a brighter future. This include 1) addressing social norms and cultural values that impede participation rights of girls and boys by partnering with influencers, media, adolescents and young people to shape the attitudes of parents, policy makers and service providers; 2) promotion of adolescent engagement (including digitally) in processes and accountability mechanisms that allow them to express their views, gather inputs and influence decisions or actions around adolescent health issues at national levels; and 3) involvement of young people aged 10 -24 as equal partners, advocates, key influencers and change makers, to support the engagement of adolescents.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF is looking for an intern to support adolescent development and participation (ADAP) in China, who will be under the supervision of the Adolescent Officer and will provide support to the office Adolescent Working Group (AWG).

Main responsibility of the Intern will be:

• To translation of materials related to mental health and nutrition for supporting adaptation of innovation tools;
• To compile information and knowledge management related to ADAP.
• To support term research assignments to meet research gaps identified by the health team. These include but not limited to research on adolescent engagement tools for supporting their meaningful participation, digital platforms appealing to adolescents for health promotion and positive development.
• To support and improve programme documentation and language translation for better knowledge management related to ADAP.

The intern will be given other potential assignments in relation to ADAP priorities jointly defined with the supervisor. Duration of the internships and working hours are upon discussions with candidates. The intern will get a small stipend during the internship.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• University students: major in public health, English, or other relevant areas such as social work, research, or IT.
• Previous volunteer/intern experience desired but not necessary.
• Fluency in English and Chinese is required. Good computer skills are required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) 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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

This is a paid internship with small amount of stipend provided by UNICEF China.