Internship (Advocacy and Programme), Public Partnerships Division (PPD)/Brussels, Belgium (6 Months)

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, a future

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 75 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

Background and purpose of the internship

UNICEF Public Partnerships Division (PPD) works to strengthen the organisation’s position as a partner for children's rights among governments and public actors around the world. UNICEF Brussels Office is in charge of the relations with the EU institutions and works to prioritize children and UNICEF’s priorities across EU’s policies, legislation and programmes.

How can you make a difference?

1. Policy & Advocacy:

• Assist in advocacy work to influence EU institutions and EU Member States, particularly in relation to Africa, child rights, migration and education through coordination, monitoring and research. Tasks include:

• • support the drafting of briefing and background notes;
  • setting up meetings for UNICEF colleagues with EU institutions;
  • attending meetings and writing up minutes;
  • assisting UNICEF’s support to the EU Group of Friends on Child Rights;
  • Assist in strengthening our work to amplify the voices and participation of children and young people in EU policy making.

• Maintain an up-to-date contact database of relevant focal points and staff within UNICEF and EU institutions

Particular focus will be dedicated to the following four EU policy processes:

1. Mainstreaming child rights in upcoming policies

Support the advocacy and development team on EU due diligence law and protecting children online; analyze key EU documents; attend meetings and write up of minutes.

2. European Development Days

Support the elaboration and implementation of activities foreseen in the run-up to the EDD, in coordination with other UNICEF and EU teams.

3. EU Child Rights Strategy

Support with the monitoring and follow up of implementation of the EU strategy on the Rights of the Child, including coordination with UN Task Force, UNICEF National Committees/Country Offices and Brussels-based child rights organisations.

4. European Year of Youth (EYY)

Support the implementation of activities foreseen in the context of EYY and the wrap up of the Joint EU-UNICEF campaign “Your Voice, Your Future”.

2. Communication:

• Daily monitoring of relevant news and updates from the EU Institutions and EU media;
• Support with the bi-monthly newsletter of the UNICEF-EU partnership;
• Support with the daily media monitoring for the Brussels Office;
• Maintain office calendar of events
• Support with the social media accounts of the office;
• Support with activities around the launch of the Innocenti Report Card (May 2022), Syria Pledging Conference (May 2022), ED visit to Brussels (May 2022), European Development Days (June 2022), We Protect Summit (June 2022), Transforming Education Summit (Sept 2022)
• Support with activities around Earth Day 2022, World Youth Skills Day 2022 and other international days as deemed relevant.

Learning and development:

A learning and development plan will be agreed with the intern, aiming at:

• Enhancing and updating knowledge of EU institutions and policies;
• Improving knowledge on child rights;
• Improving understanding of UNICEF’s activities, policies and organisation;
• Improving basic organisation and communication skills.

The Intern will receive supervision, guidance and coaching by the immediate supervisor from the start of the assignment and will be assigned projects related to her/his area of study.

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

• Enrollment in a university (Bachelor's or higher) majoring in human rights, political science, international development, humanitarian aid or related field.
• Genuine interest in and basic knowledge of children’s rights; understanding of UNICEF’s mandate is a must.
• Familiarity with the functioning of the EU Institutions; previous working or research experience related to the European Institutions is a strong asset.
• Proven ability to synthesize information and communicate it simply and effectively; strong writing, research and analytical skills.
• Ability to operate in a diplomatic environment, using tact and judgement. Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.
• Excellent command of oral and written English. Knowledge of French and/or another EU language an asset.
• Knowledge of office computer systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet research.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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.

Remarks:

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

Duration: 6 months, starting in May 2022, with a one-month break in July/August

Visa: the incumbent must be eligible to live in Belgium for the duration of the internship. UNICEF is not responsible for obtaining visa or residency permits.

Stipend: UNICEF will pay a stipend of 1177 EUR per month to contribute towards transportation and meal costs. There is no expectancy of employment at the end of the internship.

Insurance: Interns are covered for any service-incurred injury, illness or death under the UNICEF procedure on Malicious Acts Insurance Policy (DHR/PROCEDURE/2019/002) or as amended. The selected candidate must provide proof of medical insurance prior to start his/her work with the Brussels Office. UNICEF is not responsible for obtaining health insurance for the incumbent.

Living Conditions and Working Environment: Subject to the sanitary conditions at the time of the start of the internship, the intern will work in the UNICEF Office in Brussels, attending many meetings at and around the EU institutions. S/he will work with an assigned UNICEF staff and report to his/her immediate supervisor. S/he is not expected to travel during the assignment. S/he will be provided with a UNICEF computer to be able to work from home as per COVID response guidelines issued and adapted by UNICEF Office in Brussels. Since the situation might change at any time, flexibility in adapting to the working environment is essential.

If you are interested in undertaking an internship at UNICEF, please complete the online application form. No email applications will be accepted.