National Intern -Policy Advocacy Strategy Development, Accra, Ghana, 6 months (Only Ghanaian nationals are eligible to apply)

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, Learning

In Ghana, UNICEF cooperates with the Government and other partners to defend the rights of children and help them fulfill their potential. With offices in Accra and Tamale, the UNICEF team seeks to achieve results in strategic programme areas. The overall goal is for every child to survive and thrive, to live in a safe and clean environment, to learn, to be protected from violence and exploitation, and to have an equitable chance in life. The current Country Programme of cooperation is aligned with the Government priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Partnership (UNSDP) and Key Results for Children (KRCs) in the West and Central African Region (immunization, nutrition, learning outcomes, ending child marriage and ending open defecation). UNICEF main strategies include evidence-based advocacy, system strengthening, integrated programming across sectors, emergency preparedness and response, and innovation.

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Background

The policy and evidence section plays a strategic role in influencing and impacting on policy direction in the country. The policy environment and socio-economic indicators of the country have great impact on welfare and other wellbeing outcomes. In spite of the successes achieved across various sectors-health, education, WASH, education, child protection, social protection over the years, these sectors are still faced with various challenges emanating from policy directions and commitments, budgetary allocations, programme implementation and delivery among others. In a quest to ensure there is an enabling environment that ensures support for the sectors and improvements in programmes delivery, UNICEF seeks to design a comprehensive policy advocacy strategy to systematically guide our entry points for influencing government policies and programmes.

Objective of the Assignment

The key objective of the assignment is to support the Policy and Evidence Section to clearly map out and develop key components of the strategy, conduct analysis on the key targets, key messages, channels for communication that will ensure effective reach out during implementation. The intern will also be required to work with UNICEF to strategically identify entry points and to plan opportunities critical for the achievement of results.

Tasks to be completed

The intern will undertake the following activities:

1. Support the organization of meetings to conceptualize and to develop key elements of the strategy with UNICEF policy and evidence and communication team.
2. Support the implementation of a desk review to identify strategic targets, influencers, and allies that should be reached with key messages.
3. Support/contribute to the drafting and finalization of the strategy under the leadership of the Chief of Section.

4. Support the development of an action plan as well as M&E plan for the strategy.

   Expected Deliverables

The intern is expected to submit the following deliverables:

1. At least four meetings supported with notes provided that would be used to generate/feed into the policy advocacy document.

2. A desk review report on key targets, influencers, and allies to be reached.

3. Submit an action plan and M&E plan based on the final policy advocacy strategy document.

   Supervision and Reporting Arrangement

The intern will be coached and closely supervised by the Chief of policy and evidence. S/he will work closely with the communications and policy and evidence teams. At the end of the internship, the intern and supervisor must complete the respective internship evaluation forms.

Payment and Payment Schedule

The Intern will receive monthly stipend as per Ghana Country Office internal guidelines. This amount will be pro-rated accordingly for any uncompleted month of work.

Note: This is not applicable for interns’ receiving stipends from governmental or non-governmental bodies (including private sector) whether recruited from outside the duty station or not. UNICEF office should pay the difference between UNICEF’s stipend and the amount provided by external institutions if UNICEF’s stipend is more.

Time Frame

November 2022- April 2023

Official Travel Involved

The assignment is based in the Ghana Country office, Accra. If required to travel out of Accra as part of official duty, interns shall be reimbursed for travel expenses (upon submission of receipts), incurred during official travel authorized by UNICEF. Costs for accommodation, meals, and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA or a full board arrangement).

Status

• Interns are not considered as staff members. Notwithstanding this status, they shall observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions and procedures and directives of UNICEF.
• Interns shall not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against posts.
• Interns shall respect the impartiality and independence required of UNICEF and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to UNICEF.
• Unless otherwise authorized by the receiving office/division, interns may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any external source any information which has become known to them by reasons of their association with UNICEF. They may not use any such information without the written authorization, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations do not lapse after the end of the internship.
• Interns shall refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF and not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of UNICEF.

General Conditions: Policy and Administrative Procedures

The intern will be based in UNICEF GCO in Accra. The office will provide equipment and materials necessary for the assignment. The intern will abide by all conditions as per UNICEF intern guidelines. Interns are expected to fund themselves for their travel-related expenses to report at the duty station and return at the end of the internship (whether within or outside Ghana), as well as accommodation and living expenses for the entire duration of the internship programme. All the terms and conditions in the internship guideline including proof of health/medical insurance coverage must be complied with and copies received by the office prior to the commencement of internship.

Expected Qualifications, Experience, specialized knowledge/skills and competencies

Candidates are expected to share a 1-page motivation letter explaining why they are applying, what relevant experiences they may have, and what they bring to the table.

• Proof of enrolment in an undergraduate, graduate or advanced programme in a Reference letter from school confirming student requires internship OR an up-to date university transcript or Statement of result/certificate evidencing completion of a degree within the last two years (if applicable).
• Academic background in Social Sciences, particularly Sociology, Social Work, Human Rights, Public Policy, Mass Communications or related areas.
• Previous experience in undertaking communications and advocacy activities on social issues is required.
• Knowledge of development and the social policy landscape of Ghana is required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) and/or local language(s) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter:https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are... (1) Builds and maintains partnerships(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness(3)Drive to achieve results for impact(4)Innovates and embraces change(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity(6)Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable females are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.