Job Purpose:
The Youth, Peace & Security Intern will support UNFPA’s work on youth engagement in peace and security by assisting with research, project implementation, advocacy, and coordination efforts. The intern will gain hands-on experience in program management and policy implementation within the humanitarian, peace, and development nexus.
The internship assignment will be of a professional nature and include predominantly analytical and conceptual assignments with an appropriate level of complexity.
The intern will report to the Youth, Peace, and Security Technical Specialist under the overall supervision of the Gender and Human Rights team lead.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
You would be responsible for:
Working within UNFPA’s Gender and Human Rights team at the Regional Office, the intern will contribute to UNFPA’s expanding leadership and field programming in the areas of Youth peace and security. UNFPA has inscribed the agenda as important priority under its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, and works towards an inclusive, integrated implementation of this agenda, with a strong focus on adolescent girls and young women. These efforts are aligned with the implementation of Security Council resolutions on youth, peace and security; and support the implementation of key youth-related priorities for the UN system (such as the UN Youth Strategy
and Youth 2030 ). The YPS intern will collaborate with UNFPA teams in West and Central African countries, with other UNFPA Regional Offices and support collaborative relationships with counterparts in the UN system, civil society organizations, regional organizations, and academic partners, to effectively influence diverse stakeholders to contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate.
Scope of Work:
Research and Analysis:
Support background research on youth participation in peacebuilding, conflict resolution,Project Support:
Assist in planning and coordinating YPS projects and initiatives at the regional andCommunication and Advocacy:
Draft social media content, newsletters, and blog posts to promote YPS activities. Assist in developing advocacy materials for youth-focused campaigns on peace and security. Support the organization of webinars, dialogues, and workshops with young peacebuilders. Assist in the design and preparation of communication and resource mobilization products on youth, peace and security.Partnership and Coordination:
Support engagement with youth networks, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders. Assist in documenting best practices and lessons learned from YPS interventions. Participate in inter-agency meetings and provide administrative support for YPS coordination efforts. Provide support for regional level coordination efforts on youth, peace and security, including with regional governmental and non-governmental partners. Assist in gathering information and drafting inputs for the development of national frameworks on youth, peace, and security, as well as the establishment of multi-stakeholder national coalitions on youth, peace, and security.Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:
Be enrolled in a first university degree programme (such as a bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and have completed one full academic year. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme or higher). Have recently graduated with a university degree as defined above and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduationKnowledge and Experience:
Demonstrated interest in the field of development, peace and security, and related fields. Strong research and analytical skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Prior experience volunteering in youth-led initiatives, peacebuilding, or humanitarian work is an advantage. Ability to adapt to new environments and to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.Languages:
Demonstrated written and spoken proficiency in English and French is required.
Financial Aspects:
Interns do not receive a salary or any other form of remuneration from UNFPA. The costs associated with an intern's participation in the program must be assumed either by the nominating institution (which may provide financial assistance to its students) or by the students themselves. Interns are responsible for meeting their living expenses and making their own arrangements for accommodation, travel, and other requirements.
However, interns will receive a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, if they are not financially supported by any other institution or program (such as a university, government, foundation, or scholarship program). The stipend amount is based on the intern’s agreed place of work, which may differ from the hiring office's duty station in cases of remote arrangements.
Additionally, applicants must have medical insurance for the entire duration of the internship. Proof of insurance will be required before the internship begins. UNFPA does not provide medical insurance for interns.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.