UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, works together with partners in 190 countries and territories to promote and advocate for the protection of the rights of every child.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, support

The main mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child. More specifically UNICEF's programmes promote equity and target the children and families who are most disadvantaged and excluded. UNICEF Lao PDR Country Office works with government and civil society organizations to ensure that the child rights and the mandate as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child is fulfilled and contributes towards the country’s development programmes. Key programmes for children in the current country programme document are Health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, Communication and C4D, WASH and Social Policy. Social Policy programming aims to enhance national policy environment and systems to ensure that disadvantaged children can access all basic social services, as enshrined in the Convention on the rights of the child (CRC). Guided by data and knowledge, the following outputs are crucial: disaggregated data from surveys and administrative data available to inform policy, planning and monitoring; enhanced capacity for child poverty and equity analysis; and management of the section. The Social Policy Section plays a critical role in generating quality and timely data for the decisions of other sections within UNICEF, the UN, government and other stakeholders. It is therefore imperative that the progress of UNICEF programs is monitored and regularly tracked and monitored to ensure progress meets overall objectives. Additionally, as we implement midterm review of the country program document for 2022 -2026, it is important that we can show results for what we have achieved using accurate data and evidence to influence the next country focus for children in Lao PDR. The section therefore requires an intern to support data entry and assist with research and analysis.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Social Policy, the intern will undertake the following tasks:

• With the guidance from a Social Policy Specialist, undertake small online research and summarize reports on social issues including decentralization, fiscal policies, national assembly functions and their interests.
• Support the data entry and analysis.
• Collaborate with Social Policy Specialist to prepare events National Assembly Workshops and dissemination of Lao Social Indicator Survey Round III at provinces.
• Assist with the Reproductive Mother Newborn Child Health (RMNCH) Analysis.
• Support the translation of material, meeting minutes, reports, agenda, and other relevant documents.
• Document and share minutes from meetings, workshops, and discussions with relevant colleagues and partners.
• Support logistical arrangements for meetings, discussions, workshops, and events related to Social Policy Section activities.
• Assist in designing, outlining and formatting visibility material and power point presentation.
• Maintain and update the Social Policy Climate Change Website Hub.
• Assist with general administrative tasks related to social policy work. 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR-Social Research Intern_VA.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:  Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as economics, social science, public administration, statistics or other disciplines pertinent to the position. Demonstrated excellent academic performance through recent university or institution records. 
• Skills: Experience in simple design and formatting including power point presentation and cover pages. 
• Language Requirements: Proficient in at least one of UNICEF’s working languages, particularly English, at a working knowledge level. Mandatory fluency in Laotian.

Desirables:

• Familiar with and understand Lao national and/or economic development issues.
• Familiarity with a multi-culture environment would be an asset.
• Awareness about gender issues.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about children’s rights and making a lasting difference on children’s lives, one of the global leading entities on children’s rights would like to hear from you.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. 

UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of children’s rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.

The 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 

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

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.

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, 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:  

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, 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.

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