Job Description

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, partnerships

The Public Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Division (PPR) is responsible for developing and strengthening public partnerships to support UNICEF’s work to protect the rights of every child.

The UNICEF Office in Washington, D.C., supports UNICEF’s work by managing partnerships and resource mobilization with institutions of the Governments of Canada, the United States, including the Departments across the Administration, U.S. Congress, and International Financial Institutions.

How can you make a difference?

The two (2) Public Partnerships interns will work with the PPR North America and IFIs Pillar team and will be based in Washington, D.C., to deepen collaboration with key stakeholders and help to provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and policy influence within the scope of the assignment. The key result is to ensure greater visibility for UNICEF and influence in support of its mission.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

• Conduct research and analysis on a range of topics, develop briefing documents and external materials to ensure information on UNICEF is conveyed and shared with key stakeholders.
• Cover events, key meetings and prepare summary reports.
• Support UNICEF’s liaison with the Legislative and Executive Branches of the US government (USG) in coordination with multiple teams.
• Provide support to the Washington Office Director and team members in strategic engagement with external partners, including foreign missions in Washington, D.C., think tanks, US Government agencies and International Financial Institutions, including the World Bank.
• Provide support in management of UNICEF-USG grant agreements, as requested, and well drafted/edited reporting requirements.
• Support promotion of, and advocacy for, UNICEF programmes by assisting with the preparation of information to internal teams, partners (US Government and IFIs) UN agencies, NGOs, host government and other partners on the strategy, design, relevance and impact of programmes. Attend related meetings and provide readouts for appropriate focal points.
• Contribute in innovative ways to knowledge management, helping to ensure partner information and materials are maintained, updated, and filed; guide other team members to implement knowledge management protocols to ensure consistency and ease of reference. Provide contribution and partnership related updates and information to internal and external partners as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to: planning and logistics for UNICEF HQ or country/regional office leadership to participate in high-level engagements with U.S. Government officials and Congressional delegations; conducting research on prospective new partnership engagements for UNICEF and providing related analysis and outreach to support exploration of such opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Education:  Must be enrolled, within the past year, in a graduate degree program with a preferred major in international relations, political science, communications, international development, or another relevant technical field.
• Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN working languages is an asset.
• Competencies:
  • Knowledge of the structure and procedures of the US Government.
  • Strong analytical skills to synthesize and communicate concepts clearly.
  • Ability to conduct research, review, edit and draft reports.
  • Capacity to work independently on multiple assignments simultaneously and adapt to changing demands and circumstances.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Must uphold and demonstrate the UNICEF core values of Commitment, Diversity, and Integrity.
  • Builds and maintains partnerships, demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, drive to achieve results for impact, innovates and embraces change, manages ambiguity and complexity, thinks and acts strategically, works collaboratively with others.

Living and Working Conditions:
The internship is full time (40 hours per week), with the option to be part-time for the right candidate. The Washington, DC office will observe a hybrid approach- with a combination of in-person work in UNICEF’s K-Street office, as well as remote working on days agreed with the Manager.  

Interns may take up to 2.5 days per month off work for any reason, including for medical reasons. The stipend will be reduced for any absence beyond this quota.

Tentative start date : 

1 will be from 1 July to 31 December 2026 (full-time) , and 1 will be from 1 September 2026 to 30 April 2027 (part-time) .

An internship may be terminated by either party, with a notice period of at least two weeks.

Salary/Payment:
The candidate will receive a stipend during the internship. The candidate should have no expectation of employment at the end of the internship. UNICEF is not responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

Insurance:
UNICEF will not be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the volunteer’s service. Therefore, the selected candidate must provide proof of enrolment in a health/accident plan prior to starting his/her work.

Living and Working Conditions:
The internship is full time (40 hours per week), with the option to be part-time for the right candidate. The Washington, DC office will observe a hybrid approach- with a combination of in-person work in UNICEF’s K-Street office, as well as remote working on days agreed with the Manager.  

For more on internships at UNICEF, follow this link:

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 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 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. 

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