International Internship: Nutrition Research, Indonesia (home-based) - 2 positions

Contract

This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.

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, health

A steadily growing economy isn't benefiting all. Half the population still lives in poverty and children's changes can vary dramatically depending on their families’ wealth or where they live.

For more information, visit the UNICEF Indonesia Country Office website: https://www.unicef.org/indonesia/

How can you make a difference?

Background

UNICEF is a longstanding partner of the Government of Indonesia, committed to achieving results for children across six key programmatic areas: health, nutrition, WASH, education, social policy and child protection. UNICEF Indonesia’s Nutrition Section focuses on tackling the triple burden of malnutrition (from underweight, overweight and micronutrient deficiencies) among Indonesian children and adolescents, by engaging in research and evidence generation, awareness raising and public communications, policy advocacy and coordination support. In this context UNICEF is looking for up to two Interns for 2022 that will contribute to the Section’s evidence generation efforts, by working closely with the Nutrition Specialist and under the overall guidance of the Section Chief. The selected Intern(s) will be expected to take a leading role in completing at least one research piece, across one of the following priority thematic areas:

1. Conduct a systematic review of the available evidence on marketing of unhealthy foods to children in Indonesia, across traditional and social media. The review will draw on available evidence in the literature as well as analysis of secondary data from key social media platforms and might be complemented with focused collection of primary data to assess children’s perceptions on marketing through UNICEF’s U-report online platform.

2. Conduct a systematic review of available evidence related to front of pack labelling (FOPL) schemes in Indonesia and Asia-Pacific. This could be complemented by either a survey or focus group discussions with adolescents, to understand their perspective on the most helpful FOPL types, engagement with and interpretation of brand labels etc.

3. Review available evidence on sugar-sweetened beverage tax and other fiscal measures (with a focus on Asia-Pacific), particularly of their effectiveness and of advocacy strategies to support their adoption that have proven successful in other countries.

4. Support the design of a quantitative study based on existing data sets from Indonesia (e.g. Indonesia Family Life Survey, Global School-based Student Health Survey etc.) on themes of relevance to overweight and obesity prevention and the broader triple burden of malnutrition issue in Indonesia.

5. Support the design of primary data collection through UNICEF’s online U-report surveys, focused on either or both of the following:

a. Overweight/obesity and psycho-social issues (mental health, bullying, stigma).

b. Climate change, food, and sustainability.

The exact scope of the study will be jointly developed and discussed in close coordination with the Nutrition Specialist and other Section colleagues, and the work will proceed collaboratively throughout the assignment. The expectation is that the research piece developed is of sufficient quality for publication in an international peer reviewed journal, or as a UNICEF research report. While the Intern(s) will be expected to primarily engage in research and evidence generation, depending on skills and interest there may be opportunities to support other work areas, such as the development of public communication products and the organization of learning events. The Intern(s) will also have full access to UNICEF’s online learning platform Agora, and liberty to pursue any course on offering based on personal and professional interest.

Work Assignments:

1. Perform a quick review and assessment of available literature and data across the thematic area of choice to devise, in collaboration with the Nutrition Specialist and other colleagues, a relevant and useful research study, which is feasible to be completed during the internship period.

2. Based on the above, prepare a short concept note outlining: background and significance of the chosen topic, research question and sub-questions, data collection strategy (and, if primary data collection is needed, a preliminary outline of survey/interview questions), data sources, target academic journal.

3. After discussing and revising the concept note with Section colleagues, perform relevant secondary data collection and analyses (and if needed for the study, primary data collection), and develop an initial draft manuscript/report for internal discussion.

4. Revise the draft manuscript to incorporate internal feedback and prepare a final version for submission to the target academic journal, or for publication as a UNICEF report, as appropriate.

5. Provide ongoing limited support to the Section with other tasks as needed.

Terms of Reference for Internship_Nutrition TMS.pdf

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

- An undergraduate degree and a postgraduate qualification (completed or in progress) in a relevant disciplin

- Strong interest in the triple burden of malnutrition, and particularly overweight/obesity, and in applied research. Interest, or familiarity with the context of Indonesia would be an asset.

- Strong research skills and, depending on the preferred thematic area of focus, solid knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative methods, including but not limited to: systematic reviews, survey design, qualitative interviews and focus group discussions, statistical modelling of cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Experience in mixed-methods research preferred.

- Proficiency in quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis software packages.

- Ideally, previous experience designing and following to completion a research study (e.g. a report, academic paper, university assignment etc.) focused on nutrition/health issues.

- 1-2 years of relevant experience working in international, multi-cultural teams. Experience with remote working modalities preferred. While there is no strict requirement on location, the Intern’s work schedule is expected to overlap at least partly with Jakarta time (GMT+7).

- Excellent knowledge of English (spoken and written).

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/ assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

Closing date: 18 April 2022

Remarks: The screening of your application will be conducted based on the information in your profile. Before applying, we strongly suggest that you review your profile to ensure accuracy and completeness. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.