UNICEF Internship

• About UNICEF
• Types of Internships Available
• Explore Opportunities
• Strategies to Win this UNICEF Internship
• Resume Writing Tips for UNICEF
• General Eligibility Criteria
• Understanding Internship Compensation: Are Internships Paid?
• Top 3 Interview Preparation Questions & Sample Answers

About UNICEF

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, is a global organization dedicated to protecting children’s rights and providing humanitarian assistance. UNICEF’s internship program offers students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international development, focusing on areas such as child protection, education, health, and nutrition. Interns at UNICEF can expect to work on research projects, manage databases, or assist with communications, depending on their assigned office. The internship duration typically ranges from 6 to 26 weeks, with opportunities available worldwide, and UNICEF now offers paid internships to support interns financially during their experience. Applying for a UNICEF internship involves submitting an online application through their e-recruitment system, and successful candidates will have the chance to contribute to UNICEF’s mission of improving children’s lives globally.

Types of Internships Available

• Operations Internships
  • Focus on supporting UNICEF’s operational activities. This may include:
    • Human resources management
    • Finance and administration
    • Supply chain management and logistics
• Program and Policy Internships
  • Involve working on UNICEF’s core mission areas. These internships cover:
    • Child protection programs
    • Education initiatives
    • Health and nutrition projects
    • Social and economic policy development
• External Relations Internships
  • Concentrate on UNICEF’s communication and outreach efforts. Tasks may include:
    • Managing databases
    • Assisting with communications strategies
    • Supporting research projects
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Internships
  • Focus on supporting UNICEF’s technological infrastructure and innovation efforts.
• Legal Internships
  • Involve assisting with legal matters related to UNICEF’s work and operations.
• Innovation Internships
  • Focus on developing and implementing innovative solutions to support UNICEF’s mission.
• Knowledge Management Internships
  • Involve organizing and managing UNICEF’s vast knowledge resources and databases.
• Statistics and Monitoring Internships
  • Focus on data analysis and monitoring of UNICEF’s programs and their impact.

Explore Opportunities

You can find information about UNICEF internships at the following URL: UNICEF Internship Program 

Strategies to Win this UNICEF Internship

• Demonstrate strong language skills
  Highlight proficiency in English, Spanish, or French, mentioning any language certifications or experiences using these languages in academic or professional settings.
• Showcase relevant experience
  Emphasize any work or volunteer experience related to child rights, international development, or humanitarian aid, highlighting a project where you contributed to improving children’s education in your community.
• Highlight academic excellence
  Emphasize your outstanding academic performance, particularly in subjects relevant to UNICEF’s work, and mention any honors or awards received in courses related to global health, international relations, or social policy.
• Develop a comprehensive online profile
  Create a detailed and well-organized profile on UNICEF’s e-recruitment system, including all relevant skills, experiences, and achievements while ensuring each entry is concise yet informative.
• Prepare for competency-based interviews
  Practice answering questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and prepare examples of how you’ve demonstrated innovation in a previous role or project.
• Show enthusiasm and knowledge about UNICEF
  Research UNICEF’s current projects and initiatives so you can mention a specific UNICEF campaign that resonates with you during the interview and explain why you’re excited to contribute.
• Highlight your ability to work in diverse teams
  Emphasize experiences where you’ve collaborated with people from different cultural backgrounds by describing a group project where you successfully navigated cultural differences to achieve a common goal.
• Tailor your resume to the specific internship
  Customize your resume to match the requirements of the UNICEF internship you’re applying for by highlighting relevant skills and experiences that directly align with the internship description and using keywords from the job posting.

Resume Writing Tips for UNICEF

1. Highlight relevant skills and experiences
   • Focus on experiences related to child rights, international development, or humanitarian aid. For example, if you volunteered at a local children’s shelter, describe how you developed child protection skills and contributed to improving children’s well-being, directly aligning with UNICEF’s mission.
2. Emphasize language abilities and cultural competence
   • Showcase your proficiency in English, French, or Spanish, and any experiences working in diverse environments. You could mention your participation in a study abroad program where you improved your language skills while collaborating with students from various cultural backgrounds on a community development project.
3. Demonstrate innovation and adaptability
   • UNICEF values innovative thinking and the ability to work in complex situations. Describe a project where you used creative problem-solving skills to overcome challenges. For instance, explain how you initiated a virtual fundraising campaign for a student organization during the pandemic, showcasing your ability to adapt to changing circumstances and embrace new technologies.

General Eligibility Criteria

It’s important to note that these requirements may vary depending on the specific internship position and can change over time. Always refer back to the original job posting for the most up-to-date and accurate eligibility criteria for the internship you’re interested in.

Understanding Internship Compensation: Are Internships Paid?

UNICEF internships are paid. Interns receive a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses. The amount may vary, but one source mentions a monthly stipend of $1,700. Additionally, UNICEF may provide some financial support for travel costs and visa fees. Interns are typically paid $17 per hour, with a maximum of 20 hours per week during Spring and Fall semesters, and 30 hours per week in Summer.

Disclaimer: Please note that internship details, including compensation and benefits, may change over time. It’s essential to carefully review the specific internship listing and ask clarifying questions during the recruitment process to get the most up-to-date and accurate information about the internship you’re interested in.

Top 3 Interview Preparation Questions & Sample Answers

1. Why do you want to intern at UNICEF?
   • I’m passionate about UNICEF’s mission to protect children’s rights globally. My volunteer experience at a local children’s shelter has shown me the impact of child-focused interventions. I’m excited to contribute to UNICEF’s innovative projects, like the Giga initiative, which aims to connect every school to the internet. This internship would allow me to apply my skills in [relevant field] while learning from experts in international development.
2. Can you describe a time when you demonstrated innovation?
   • During the pandemic, I initiated a virtual fundraising campaign for my university’s UNICEF club. We faced challenges reaching donors remotely, so I proposed using social media challenges to increase engagement. By creating shareable content and partnering with local influencers, we surpassed our fundraising goal by 50%. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability and creative problem-solving in achieving results.
3. How do you work in diverse teams?
   • In my previous internship at [organization], I collaborated with team members from five different countries on a project to improve education access in rural areas. I actively listened to diverse perspectives, facilitated open communication, and helped mediate cultural misunderstandings. By leveraging our diverse strengths, we developed a comprehensive strategy that was well-received by local stakeholders. This experience enhanced my cross-cultural communication skills and reinforced the value of diversity in problem-solving.