Internship: Human Rights Unit, Programme Group Leadership Team, NYHQ/Home based

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, hope

Background of the internship

The UNICEF’s Human Rights Unit (HRU), anchored in the Programme Group Leadership Team (PGLT) in New York HQ, provides technical guidance, oversight and support to regional and country offices, as well as other HQ Divisions on human rights/child rights related issues. The Human Rights Unit develops strategic engagement with human rights mechanisms, such as the Human Rights Council and the Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, as well as with the General Assembly (GA) in NY, to raise the profile of, and advocate on human rights and child rights. It also helps build the capacity of Independent Human Rights Institutions to advance child rights on the ground, and fosters partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs, and other international institutions across a wide range of issues related to human rights and child rights including for example the rights of Indigenous peoples, addressing racism and the protection of minorities, the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, and the impact of hate speech on children.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this internship is to support the UNICEF Human Rights Unit in NY in advancing its work on child rights accountability, monitoring and advocacy as well as supporting its internal and external communications.

Tasks

The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager of the HRU, and will undertake the following tasks:

• Attend sessions of the GA Third Committee and prepare internal notes, briefings, research and analysis as relevant;
• Attend other internal as well inter-agency meetings on relevant human rights/child rights issues and prepare notes, briefings, research, and analysis as relevant;
• Support the preparation of events organised by the HRU;
• Support internal communications and the development and implementation of an advocacy plan for 2022; and
• Assist in other activities as required.

Outputs

The intern will be responsible for the following outputs: Notes/briefings/research and analysis as relevant during the GA Third Committee session, as well as for events organised by the HRU; contribution to preparation of events organised by the HRU; and contribution to internal communications and advocacy led by the HRU.

Start date****: 6 September 2021

Duration: 26 weeks full time or 52 weeks part-time depending on availability of selected candidate

Location: Remote

Fee: The internship will be remunerated 1,700 USD/month pro rata.

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 the start of the internship.

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

• Education in International Law, Social Sciences, International Relations, Human Rights, Communications, Knowledge Management or related technical field at a Master’s level (the intern should either be currently studying or have graduated within the last two years)
• Strong interest in Human Rights, especially Child Rights
• Fluency and excellent writing skills in English (knowledge of another UN language, especially French and/or Spanish an asset)
• Knowledge and understanding of UNICEF’s mandate and of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Research experience and skills
• Analytical and conceptual thinking
• Excellent communications skills
• Ability to work independently and within a set time frame

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

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.

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