Community Engagement, Communications & Youth Advocacy Intern, Generation Unlimited (YPA Secretariat), Global Programme Division, NYHQ, 26 weeks (Full-time / On-site)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, a bright future

The Community Engagement, Communications & Advocacy Internship supports Generation Unlimited’s mission by strengthening youth-centered communications, amplifying thought leadership, and enabling meaningful youth engagement across global platforms while offering the intern hands-on experience across digital engagement, youth participation strategies, and high-level partnerships. Through managing social media engagement, supporting AI-enabled leadership communications, contributing to newsletters, advancing youth centrality initiatives, and assisting with global events and leadership councils, the internship provides practical exposure to advocacy, communications, youth-led programming, and international partnership engagement, equipping the intern with valuable skills and professional experience within a globally recognized development platform.

How can you make a difference? 

Community Engagement, Communications & Advocacy Internship

• Lead community engagement across Generation Unlimited social media channels by monitoring and responding to comments and messages in a timely, authentic, and on‑brand manner to strengthen engagement and interest.
• Support the development, implementation, and day‑to‑day management of an AI‑supported agent for the Director’s leadership LinkedIn channel(s) to strengthen reach, engagement, and thought leadership.
• Assist with the creation, coordination, and management of the quarterly Generation Unlimited newsletter, including content support and basic performance monitoring.

Youth Engagement

• Assist in designing and implementing strategies for meaningful youth engagement in GenU programming. This includes:
• Supporting the operationalization of the work of the Young People’s Action Team, globally and regionally;
• The implementation of the Youth Centrality Strategy and Youth Centrality Index;
• Feedback from young people, particularly marginalized groups, to inform program design and implementation.
• Feedback from young people, particularly marginalized groups, to inform thought leadership and engagement of young people in youth-led research
• Contribute to the development and execution of youth-centric programs, ensuring alignment with GenU’s strategic priorities, particularly programmes around youth-led entrepreneurship and meaningful youth engagement .

High-Level Partnership Engagement/Events

• Maintain and update Global Leadership Council (GLC) membership profiles and databases, supporting ongoing membership management and refresh processes.
• Contribute to planning of GenU’s flagship Global Leadership Council meeting during the UN General Assembly, as well as other high-level GenU events.

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

• Have the following eligibility requirements.

• Education – Be enrolled in or having just completed a graduate academic programme in international relations, political science, education, business, monitoring and evaluation, entrepreneurship, or other relevant field. 
• Have interest and/or experience (academic or practical) in working in youth development/engagement, public policy, international development, and/or initiatives including adolescents and youth. 
• Strong communication skills are required, including written English.
• Fluency in English is required.

Insurance:

UNICEF will not be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the intern’s service, whether on or off UNICEF premises. Therefore, the selected candidate must provide valid proof of enrolment in a health/accident plan prior to starting the internship. The insurance certification should cover the whole internship period.

Required documents as part of internship application.

• Proof of enrollment in a university programme (or proof of completion during past 2 years)
• Copy of most recent official transcript showing excellent academic performance
• Copy of Identification Card (ID)
• One letter of signed recommendation from an academic institution on letterhead or from a professional email address
• Proof of health insurance coverage for the full internship duration

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

During the recruitment process, we may test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 interns, including leave entitlement 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 promoting 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.

Remarks:  

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering the best results for children.

UNICEF Interns must have proof of medical insurance covering their time at the duty station.

UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer, without compensation, if a visa or Proof of health insurance coverage is not obtained, or necessary medical/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.

There is no expectancy of employment at the end of this internship.