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, Opportunity

With over 850 indigenous languages, and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights.  In Papua New Guinea (PNG), UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

This internship offers tertiary students a chance to apply their university-learned skills in a real-world setting. By the end of the program, participants will have not only enhanced these skills but also gained valuable workplace insights and benefited from the guidance and expertise of a mentor or supervisor.

Background

UNICEF operates in 190 countries to save children's lives, uphold their rights, and help them reach their potential from birth to adolescence. Since 1986, UNICEF has supported the Government of Papua New Guinea in enhancing child wellbeing across these areas – Child Protection, Education, Health, Nutrition, and Water and Sanitation Hygiene. The UNICEF country office in Papua New Guinea is rolling out its 6^th Country Programme 2024 – 2028 with a focus on helping PNG achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by (a) reducing violence, abuse and exploitation of children and women; (b) strengthening basic, quality social services and building public trust and use of the services; and (c) strengthening resilience and reducing the risks of children and families to disasters and crises. UNICEF PNG is offering a part-time internship over a 6-month period from November 2024 to April 2025 to expose qualified students specialized in various professional fields to the day to day working environment of the United Nations.

Purpose of the internship:

This internship is to provide tertiary students with an opportunity to put into practice skills they have learned while in the university. By the end of the programme, students should have an opportunity to enhance those skills, obtain the perspective of a work environment and benefit from a mentor or supervisor's experience and advice. The internship programme exposes qualified students specialised in various professional fields to the day-to-day working environment of the United Nations. As part of our team, applicants will take part in conferences and meetings, and contribute to analytical work where their educational experience can be enhanced. The objective of this short-term internship is to provide a motivated and innovative individual with professional experience in UNICEF’s work. The intern will primarily assist the Advocacy & Communication Section, delivering essential cross-sectoral assistance to UNICEF’s programmes and the Office of the Representative.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Advocacy & Communication Specialist, specific tasks of the intern will include but not be limited to the following:

• Support and promote youth engagement.
• Help produce content for UNICEF’s social media channels.
• Provide logistical and admin support for event management.
• Support in-office tasks for the Communication section.
• Other tasks as assigned.

 Required Skills and Experience

• Must be currently enrolled in an under-graduate programme at a recognised tertiary institution
• Good academic performance as demonstrated by recent institution record.
• Strong interest in working in the work of the United Nations.
• Ability to perform a variety of administrative tasks.

Competencies

• Communication - Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to effectively present thoughts, ideas and technical concepts in a clear, concise and readily understood manner.
• Managing resources – Self-sufficient and able to work with minimal supervision. Organise and manage time and information to achieve defined goals and results within deadlines.
• Team player – able to work as part of a diverse team and independently.

 Benefits to Intern:

70% of the net monthly salary of the GS level 3 step 1

 Terms of Appointment

The internship will span 65 working days over a 6-month period from December 2024 to May 2025. The intern is expected to work 2.5 days per week, including at least one full day in the UNICEF Office.

Language:

Excellent knowledge of English with fluency in speaking, reading and writing.

Application

To apply, submit a cover letter and a resume through the relevant advertisement at UNICEF Careers.

Modality of hiring the Intern (please specify)

Vacancy Announcement (competitive selection)

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: UNICEF Values

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.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. 

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.

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