How can you make a difference?
The Advocacy and Communication section plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mandate by shaping public narratives, strengthening visibility, and supporting advocacy goals through strategic communication. Media engagement is central to ensuring that key messages reach target audiences effectively.
The purpose of the internship is to support the implementation of media-focused communication activities. The intern will gain practical experience in media engagement, content creation, and advocacy communications while contributing to enhancing the organization’s public visibility.
Tasks to be completed
1. Media Relations Support
- Assist in maintaining and updating media contact lists and databases. Support outreach to journalists, bloggers, and media outlets. Assist in organizing press briefings, interviews, and media events. Help respond to media inquiries under supervision. 2. Content Development Assist in drafting and editing: Press releases Media advisories Social media content aligned with media campaigns Event summaries and short stories Support content packaging for media dissemination. 3. Media Monitoring Track daily media coverage related to the organization and its thematic areas. Compile media clippings from print, online, and broadcast platforms. Assist in preparing media monitoring reports (daily/weekly summaries). 4. Administrative Support Assist in organizing communication files and documentation. Provide logistical support during communication activities and events. Support coordination with internal teams and external partners when needed.
Expected Deliverables
- Contributions to media content (drafts of press releases, advisories, etc.). Regular media monitoring summaries. Updated media database. Documentation of media engagements and events supported.
Supervision and Reporting Arrangement
The intern will work under the supervision of and report to the Chief of Advocacy and Communication, and in close coordination with the Advocacy and Communication team members.
Payment and Payment Schedule
Interns not receiving stipends from governmental or non-governmental bodies will receive a monthly stipend.
Status
•Interns are not considered staff members. Notwithstanding this status, they shall observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions and procedures and directives of UNICEF.
•Interns shall not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against posts.
•Interns shall respect the impartiality and independence required of UNICEF and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority, external to UNICEF.
•Unless otherwise authorized by the receiving office/division, interns may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any external source any information which has become known to them by reasons of their association with UNICEF. They may not use any such information without the written authorization, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations do not lapse after the end of the internship.
•Interns shall refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF and not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of UNICEF.
Education
•Proof of enrolment in an undergraduate or advanced degree programme in a reference letter from school confirming student requires internship or Up-to-date university transcript or Statement of result/certificate evidencing completion of a degree within the last two years (if applicable).
•Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
•Academic background in communication, journalism and related disciplines.
•Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) and/or local language(s) is an asset.
•Have no relatives (father, mother, brother or sister) working in any UNICEF office.
•Have no other relatives in the line of authority which the intern will report to.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
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
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 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 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.
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.