UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

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, a bright future

UNICEF’s Programme Group leads the organization’s efforts to achieve results for the most disadvantaged and excluded children everywhere, following the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022–2025. Work is done in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the international commitments related to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Programme Group provides global thought leadership, influences global policies and partnerships in support of child rights, and provides technical support to UNICEF’s Regional and Country Offices to maximize the difference our programmes make in children’s lives. The division shapes internal policy and practice in priority areas, supports UNICEF’s engagement in key programme partnerships and collaborates with other divisions for fundraising, advocacy and influencing.

Around 500 million children live in urban slums and informal settlements today—a figure expected to surpass 1 billion by 2050. These children face a daily reality shaped by overcrowding, unsafe housing, limited access to essential services, and exposure to environmental and health hazards. Lacking basic infrastructure such as clean water, sanitation, and safe public spaces, children in these communities are among the most vulnerable globally.

Climate change is intensifying these risks. Slums and informal settlements are often located on marginal, disaster-prone lands—near flood zones, unstable hillsides, or toxic waste sites—leaving residents especially vulnerable to extreme weather, disease, and displacement. In cities across the Global South, children in these areas experience higher rates of illness, school disruption, and mortality due to environmental degradation. Despite this, urban climate policies and investments have largely overlooked informal settlements, deepening the inequality and risk these children face.

At the same time, this crisis presents an opportunity to unlock youth-led action for sustainable transformation. Green Rising, a flagship UNICEF Programme Group initiative, seeks to do exactly that. It mobilizes millions of young people to take meaningful climate and environmental action—whether through volunteerism, advocacy, or green skills development. Green Rising is central to UNICEF’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan and places young people at the forefront of shaping climate-resilient communities, especially in the most affected areas.

How can you make a difference?

As part of our team, you will actively contribute to the Programme Group’s efforts to advance youth-led climate action in some of the world’s most vulnerable urban communities. By supporting the rollout of Green Rising in slums and informal settlements, you will help ensure that young people are empowered to drive environmental change where it matters most.

Expected scope of work

This internship offers a unique opportunity to support the early-stage development and coordination of Green Rising’s expansion into slums and informal settlements. Working closely with the Programme Group Director’s Office, the intern will contribute to shaping one of UNICEF’s most dynamic and forward-looking initiatives at the intersection of climate action, youth engagement, and urban programming.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting research and documentation on youth-led environmental action in urban informal contexts, including mapping relevant country-level initiatives
• Drafting briefs, internal updates, and communications materials to inform senior leadership and partners about Green Rising’s urban focus
• Assisting with coordination efforts between headquarters, regional, and country offices to identify pilot countries and priority communities
• Helping develop content for meetings, presentations, and webinars—including concept notes, backgrounders, and slide decks
• Contributing to storytelling efforts by identifying youth voices, case studies, and innovative practices from slum communities
• Supporting knowledge management tasks, such as organizing relevant materials, updating internal platforms, and helping design a monitoring and evaluation approach tailored to informal urban environments

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will…

• Meet the following eligibility requirements.
• Be enrolled, within the past year, in a graduate degree program with a preferred major in Economics, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Business or a related field
• have Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights
• have Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly for internal briefings, concept notes, and advocacy materials
• A demonstrated interest in climate action, urban issues, youth engagement, or social justice
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity to working with diverse communities, including those in low-income or informal urban settings
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks independently and meet tight deadlines
• Creativity and initiative, with a willingness to propose ideas and contribute to a fast-evolving programme area
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, multicultural team
• Academic or practical background in environmental studies, urban planning, public policy, social sciences, or related fields is an asset
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian) is an asset

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 & CPT as applicable

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 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.

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

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.