Advocacy and Programme Internship at UNICEF
Working in the UNICEF Brussels Office, the intern would have the opportunity to learn about UNICEF’s work for the cause of children and support the office in its partnership with the EU Institutions. Under the supervision of the Partnership Manager in the development section, the intern would support the Development and Policy & Advocacy sections in the UNICEF Brussels Office in project management, advocacy and communication.
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, education
UNICEF Public Partnerships Division (PPD) works to strengthen the organisation’s position as a partner for children’s rights among governments and public actors around the world. UNICEF Brussels Office is in charge of the relations with the EU institutions and works to prioritize children and UNICEF’s priorities across EU’s policies, legislation and programmes.
Working in the UNICEF Brussels Office, the intern would have the opportunity to learn about UNICEF’s work for the cause of children and support the office in its partnership with the EU Institutions.
Under the supervision of the Partnership Manager in the development section, the intern would support the Development and Policy & Advocacy sections in the UNICEF Brussels Office in project management, advocacy and communication.
How can you make a difference?
The learning opportunities for this internship include but are not limited to:
1. Policy & Advocacy:
- Assist in advocacy work to influence EU institutions and EU Member States, particularly in relation to Africa, child rights, migration and education through coordination, monitoring and research. Tasks include:
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- support the drafting of briefing and background notes;
- setting up meetings for UNICEF colleagues with EU institutions;
- attending meetings and writing up minutes;
- assisting UNICEF’s support to the EU Group of Friends on Child Rights;
- Assist in strengthening our work to amplify the voices and participation of children and young people in EU policy making.
- Maintain an up-to-date contact database of relevant focal points and staff within UNICEF and EU institutions
Particular focus will be dedicated to the following three EU policy processes:
- EU budget 2021-2027:
Support the analysis of the final Neighbourhood, Development & International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) and MIPs/RMIPs, and the dissemination of information to country and regional offices; support and monitor country offices’ engagement with EUDELs in relation to the new EU multi-year programmes (MIPs) and AAPs; analyse key EU documents such as on Team Europe and joint programming. Attend meetings and write up of minutes.
- EU-AU Heads of State Summit (Q1 2022)
Support the elaboration and implementation of activities foreseen in the run-up to the Summit, in particular the implementation of our U-report campaign “YourVoice,YourFuture” and the coordination with our UR ambassadors.
Support with the coordination with the UNICEF AU Liaison office, PPD Africa team and Regional Offices on specific themes such as Birth Registration, Education and Nutrition.
- EU Child Rights Strategy (Sept 21-March 22)
Support with the monitoring and follow up of implementation of the EU strategy on the Rights of the Child, including coordination with UN Task Force, UNICEF National Committees/Country Offices and Brussels-based child rights organisations.
2. Communication:
- Daily monitoring of relevant news and updates from the EU Institutions and EU media;
- Support with the bi-monthly newsletter of the UNICEF-EU partnership;
- Support with the daily media monitoring for the Brussels Office;
- Support with the social media accounts of the office;
- Support with activities around the launch of the UNICEF State of the World’s Children Report (October 2021) and the European Youth Event (EYE) (8-9 October 2021);
- Support with activities around World Children’s Day 2021 (November 2021).
Learning and development:
A learning and development plan will be agreed with the intern, aiming at:
- Enhancing and updating knowledge of EU institutions and policies;
- Improving knowledge on child rights;
- Improving understanding of UNICEF’s activities, policies and organisation;
- Improving basic organisation and communication skills.
The Intern will receive supervision, guidance and coaching by the immediate supervisor from the start of the assignment and will be assigned projects related to her/his area of study.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in human rights, political science, international development, humanitarian aid or related field.
*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. - Genuine interest in and basic knowledge of children’s rights; understanding of UNICEF’s mandate is a must.
- Familiarity with the functioning of the EU Institutions; previous working or research experience related to the European Institutions is a strong asset.
- Proven ability to synthesize information and communicate it simply and effectively; strong writing, research and analytical skills.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French and/or another EU language an asset.
- Knowledge of office computer systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet research.
