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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture.., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Care!

Malnutrition is a major public health problem in Eritrea, especially for children below five years of age, pregnant and breastfeeding women. According to the 2010 Eritrea Population and Health Survey (EPHS, 2010)[1], one in two children are estimated to be stunted, wasting prevalence is 15.3 percent and underweight prevalence is 39 percent (above the WHO emergency threshold). The 2010 EPHS also reported 44 percent of women aged 15 to 49 years to be underweight. More than one in four women in Eritrea are affected by undernutrition, a key contributing factor to high maternal and neonatal mortality, as well as infant undernutrition. Poor diets and feeding practices, combined with limited access to improved drinking water and inadequate sanitation practices at all levels are major contributory factors.  In the absence of updated national nutrition survey data, gathering nutrition information since 2010 has been through rapid screening using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) which have indicated fluctuating trends of acute malnutrition (moderate and severe).

The Government of the State of Eritrea (GoSE) prioritizes ensuring food and nutrition security as a key strategic goal to optimal health and nutritional status. UNICEF, as the principal partner of the Ministry of Health (MoH) in nutrition programming in the country, provide technical and financial support to MoH to improve the nutritional status of children, adolescents and women. To mitigate the impact of the situation of children and women, MoH in collaboration with UNICEF and other UN agencies have continued to implement several essential high impact preventive and curative nutrition interventions including integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM), micronutrient deficiency control programmes (iron and folic acid supplementation to pregnant women, Vitamin A supplementation to children aged 6-59 months, and promotion of consumption of iodized salt at household level), counselling on maternal, infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN) practices, procurement and distribution of essential nutrition therapeutic and preventive nutrition supplies/commodities, and nutrition data and information management. UNICEF is also collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) on various interventions to support food systems transformation and first foods initiative in Eritrea, as well as the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on universal salt iodization initiatives in the country.

In line with further strengthening the existing essential UNICEF-supported nutrition interventions, there would be additional tasks for supporting 2025/2026 priorities such as transitioning from the use of iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation to Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women attending antenatal care, supporting the roll-out of “One -child one-egg a day” and fish powder production programmes, strengthening routine Vitamin A supplementation, supporting the roll-out of an adolescent nutrition with other field-based monitoring and evidence generation initiatives, scale up of complementary feeding using the DMK+ [Dura (blended flours of cereals), Milk and Kebkebe-legumes and oily seeds—with the addition of an animal and/or vegetable and/or fruit source] initiative and others. The purpose of the internships is to provide learning opportunities for the Nutrition Interns on several aspects related to nutrition programming. Through this opportunity, the interns will also be able to learn and contribute towards the delivery and monitoring of the integrated nutrition programmes in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

The main purpose of the internship programme will be to support UNICEF programme implementation with key Government Ministries—Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Marine Resources and Ministry of Trade and Industry—while ensuring the development and enhancement of the intern’s professional experience through practical work assignments, exposure to UNICEF work across the country and beyond.

Under the direct supervision of the Nutrition Specialist, the Nutrition Interns will be involved in supporting key nutrition programmes and closely engagements with the Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) and Programme Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) sections as critical cross-cutting areas.

It will be expected of the interns to actively participate, collaborate and work among the teams within UNICEF and key Government line Ministries and sister UN agencies to meet the overall goal of meeting the needs and requirements for UNICEF-GoSE programmes.

Key Tasks and responsibilities

The Nutrition interns will actively support:

• The transitioning from the use of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) for pregnant women to Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS)
• Roll out of fish powder production programme
• Roll out of “One -child one-egg a day” programme
• Roll out of adolescent nutrition programme
• Roll out of the routine Vitamin A supplementation monitor chart
• Scale-up of complementary feeding (DMK+) programme
• Nutrition commodities and supply management (including end-user monitoring).
• Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) programme.
• Roll out of Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) nutrition strategy
• Strengthening nutrition information in HMIS/DHIS2 at all levels (zoba and national)
• Follow up Direct Cash Transfers (DCTs) and timely submission f technical (activity report) and financial reports.
• Any other specific or general assignments within the scope of internship that may be deemed appropriate.

The interns will be required to submit a final report upon completion of the internship assignment.

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

Education

• A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in nutrition, community health, health promotion, development studies or any other related fields. Candidate may be newly graduated, but it is advantageous if candidate has some related work experience.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English and the local knowledge is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Competency Profile

• Core Values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability
• Core Competencies (Level 1): Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness; Works Collaboratively with others; Builds and Maintains Partnerships; Innovates and Embraces Change; Thinks and Acts Strategically; Drive to achieve impactful results; Manages ambiguity and complexity.

 Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Desirables:

Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

CANDIDATES SHOULD PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF COMPLETION/EXEMPTION FROM NATIONAL SERVICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT COMPLETION/EXEMPTION OF NATIONAL SERVICE IS A REQUIREMENT. A COPY OF CARD/EXEMPTION MUST BE ATTACHED.  APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THIS REQUIREMENT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable Persons with disability and Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.