U-Report Internship, 6 months, Gaborone, Botswana (Open to Botswana nationals only)

UNICEF Botswana is looking to engage an intern who will take U-Report to scale, assist the Communication Officer in the development of a concrete strategy to reach communities, gather relevant information, empower communities to address child-specific issues and exert influence on local, regional and national stakeholders as part of a larger governance and accountability strategy.

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 fair chance

How can you make a difference?

Background and Justification

In order to capacitate young people to effectively participate in decision making on matters of concern to them, UNICEF Botswana seeks to mobilize young people to join a Rapid-pro based platform, U-Report. Rapid-Pro is an open-source SMS-based (text message) framework that manages data collection, complex workflows, and group coordination using basic mobile phones. UNICEF seeks to collect data from the community to enhance accountability, to better assess its programmes while allowing for young people to give their opinions about children's rights. To expand reach and improve data management on all its programmes, UNICEF Botswana makes use of U-Report, a new technology which enhances quality of services and information management. To date, over 22,000 Batswana have registered to U-Report and will be able to answer polls on all UNICEF programmes: Child protection, Education, Health, Nutrition and Social Policy. U-Reporters can also help inform preparedness and response to emergencies, adolescents and young people's issues as well as help in PME data collection. UNICEF seeks to scale up U-Report in 2021 and increasing numbers of youth to subscribe on the platform.

Purpose of the internship

The main objective of the internship is to promote U-Report and contribute in attracting more young subscribers. The intern will strengthen U-Report communication by designing innovative community engagement approaches that will attract many more young people. Together with the Communications Officer and Programme Specialists, they will help strengthen the engagement of young people in their communities. The Intern will master communication from strategy designing to implementation, monitoring and evaluation of results. He/She will be familiar with UNICEF innovative tool for youth engagement, U-Report. He/She will learn about planning and programming for child survival, nutrition, protection, education, water, hygiene and sanitation and social policy.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Communications Officer, the intern will take U-Report to scale, assist in the development of a concrete strategy to reach communities, gather relevant information, empower communities to address child-specific issues and exert influence on local, regional and national stakeholders as part of a larger governance and accountability strategy.

U-Report related tasks:

- Drives the mobilization of U-Reporters through digital engagement
- Maintains U-Report Facebook page and website by regularly publishing content
- Leads U-Report activations
- Conceives community engagement strategies aiming at raising awareness of U-Report among communities
- Design approaches aiming at putting youth in movements enhancing volunteering and community engagement
- Conceive and execute digital and/or physical communication strategies to attract more U-Reporters
- Conceive and execute digital and/or physical communication strategies to exploit and disseminate U- Report poll results
- Help liaise with more youth and encourage them to subscribe on U-report
- Liaise with local artists acting as UNICEF influencers to boost U-Report subscriptions
- Help initiate new partnerships with youth organizations and movements

Administrative issues and Conditions

- The intern will be provided with office space and equipment.
- The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s Procedure on Internship Programme.
- The candidate selected will sign the Statement of Understanding of Internship/Fellowship Conditions.
- The intern will be required to complete online courses related to Ethics, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Security related trainings prior to taking up the assignment and/or travel.
- Intern will be required to provide proof of medical insurance, including cover for Medical Evacuations.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have the following qualifications and skills…

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Public Relations or any media related degree

• Be a recent graduate with strong academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records (attach records to the application)

• Proficiency in Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere) would be an asset.

• Familiarity in use of communication tools (Camera, video camera etc.)

• Conversant with social media best practices for (Facebook, Twitter)

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.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement online. If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

Remarks:

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.