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, safety

UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) consists of 24 offices across 35 countries and territories. The primary role of the regional office is to provide technical assistance, build capacity, and ensure quality control for these country offices. The newly established Safeguarding section responds to the needs of the country offices by offering technical expertise and advisory support, while also leveraging initiatives and platforms to accelerate results in various programs. Additionally, it implements internal policies and strategies such as the UNICEF Safeguarding policy, the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)and Sexual Harassment (SH) strategy and Accountability of the Affected Population (AAP) strategy.

How can you make a difference?

The objective of the internship is to provide valuable support to the regional office (RO) in enhancing its safeguarding initiatives. This will involve the creation and management of thematic content on the UNICEF SharePoint platform, ensuring that information is organized and easily accessible. Additionally, the intern will facilitate regular communication and information sharing among team members and stakeholders to foster collaboration and awareness of safeguarding practices. Furthermore, the intern will contribute to the development of regional tools and resources, drawing on best practices and lessons learned within the region to promote effective safeguarding strategies and improve overall program outcomes.

Main tasks and deliverables:

The Safeguarding Intern will work within the UNICEF safeguarding section at the Regional Office. This role offers the opportunity to significantly influence the design, structure, and implementation of all regional initiatives related to emergencies and migration.

The responsibilities are the following, but not limited to:

For the Regional Office:

• Develop and manage the internal knowledge platform by organising SharePoint sites and libraries.
• Support the dissemination of regular updates and case studies across Country Offices (COs) and through the Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Safeguarding Technical Working Groups, as well as other relevant humanitarian resource channels.
• Manage the development and distribution of the section’s newsletter by compiling and curating content from various regions.
• Co-lead the organisation of the Safeguarding (including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse – PSEA) and AAP Regional Community of Practice, ensuring regular communication among members and organizing bi-monthly meetings.
•  Assist in the development and dissemination of documents and knowledge products (such as handbooks, strategies, and technical briefs) in various formats for both internal and external channels, including SharePoint News posts, news links, and email announcements. Coordinate graphic design and copy editing for AAP technical briefs and other relevant documents.
• Provide support for notetaking and reporting during regular meetings.
• Assist with data analysis and visualization, particularly regarding the assessment of Safeguarding (including PSEA) and AAP performance based on the organization-wide Core Standard Indicators.

For country offices:

• Liaise with the Safeguarding and AAP focal points to gather information and provide updates on the LACRO and HQ shared resources.
• Offer ad-hoc support to the focal points and undertake additional tasks as needed.

Duration:

The internship will last for 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time from the starting date.

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

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate degree programme or have graduated within the past two years.
• Preference will be given to candidates with a master’s degree or recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work or public administration, information and data science, humanitarian studies, sociology, political science and information management.
• Desirable: familiarity with knowledge about safeguarding principles, IASC AAP and PSEA guidelines, Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS), participation and engagement with the affected populations.
• Experience in working with working groups would be an asset.
• Experience working with refugee/migrant population would be an asset.
• Fluency in Spanish and excellent command of English is compulsory.
• Have excellent academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records.
• Have no immediate relatives (e.g. 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…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) and core competencies as Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness, Works Collaboratively with Others, Builds and Maintains Partnerships, Innovates and Embraces Change, Thinks and Acts Strategically, Drives to Achieve Impactful Results and Manages Ambiguity and Complexity.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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

Intern’s workplace

The internship will be remote-based and work from home. The intern is not expected to travel during the assignment.

Supervisor

The selected intern will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Safeguarding and AAP Specialist.

Monthly fees

Selected candidate will receive a monthly stipend that will depend on the remotely location of the intern. 

How to apply?

Application must include CV and Cover Letter.  Additionally, if you are selected, we will request:

• Letter from your university with confirmation of your course of study and expected date of graduation or copy of your university diploma.
• Up-to-date official university transcripts.
• Letter of recommendation by former employer and/or academic supervisor.
• Also you must complete profile form in the application platform.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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 proof of enrolment in a health/accident plan prior to start the internship with UNICEF.

Other Relevant Information

• The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for interns.

• As an intern, you will respect the confidentiality of information that you collect or are exposed to at UNICEF. No reports or papers may be published based on information obtained from UNICEF without the explicit written authorization by Supervisor, the Head of Office or Division Director.

• The UNICEF internship program is not connected with employment and there is no expectancy of such.

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.