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, Results

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground. For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Sri Lanka requires short-term support to strengthen ongoing Social and Behavior Change initiatives across key thematic areas, in response to the increasing demand from both internal and external stakeholders to scale up SBC interventions. With multiple cross-sectoral priorities and time-bound deliverables, additional support is essential to ensure timely and effective implementation. Therefore, SBC programming is seeking an intern to assist with programming over the next six months, which are deemed critical to advancing priority interventions.

Objectives

The overall purpose of this internship is to support the S&BC officer in carrying out the Social and Behavior Change, Community Engagement interventions across key thematic areas.

Key tasks and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the SBC Officer,

The intern will be responsible for implementing following tasks:

• Identify the possible finetuning that can be made to the ongoing SBC interventions in coordination with SBC Officer, and relevant internal and external stakeholders
• With the guidance and support of the SBC Officer, coordinate with the existing partners to monitor the progress of the ongoing interventions through virtual and in-person meetings, and through reporting tools
• Follow up with the individual and organizational contractors (e.g., illustrators, translators, video producers, content writers etc.) to obtain their deliverables on time, in alignment with the feedback/inputs received from the SBC officer and other technical experts
• Document the success stories, case studies and human-interest stories of the SBC interventions in coordination with the partners
• Coordinate with the relevant the programme support staff Programme Associate during low-value procurement processes by supporting the identification of potential vendors, developing the Terms of Reference or activity briefs, conducting reference checks, and completing the necessary administrative and documentation requirements Support to implement the regional office-led interventions that are implemented in coordination with the country office.
• Perform other tasks as required

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

A) Required Education, Skills and Experiences:

• Recently completed a University Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Communication, or any other relevant area
• At least two-years experience (full time/ part time) in the fields of Social & Behavior Change, Community Engagement, Child and Youth Participation
• Experience in developing communication assets and publications; and basic understanding about the digital landscape in the country
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills
• Excellent computer literacy (Microsoft Office products)

B) Functional Competencies:

• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines
• Accuracy and professionalism during the documentation and content production
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels
• Experience of working with UN is an asset but not a prerequisite
• Recent leadership in child/youth/CSO movements and networks is an asset

C) Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Fluency in spoken and written Sinhala or Tamil is required

Cost/Expenses:

Interns receive a stipend from UNICEF and must make own arrangements for living expenses. Living accommodations and other expenses are also their own responsibilities.

Stipend (monthly): LKR 109,000 per month (five days a week)

Travel: N/A

Insurance:

• UNICEF accepts no responsibility for costs or fatality arising from illness or accidents incurred during the internship; therefore, the intern must have adequate medical insurance.
• Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work.

Learning Opportunities for the Intern:

• General understanding of the work and mission of the UNICEF programme in Sri Lanka
• Insight and hands-on experience on UNICEF related to SBC
• Become more familiar with working in a United Nations / international organization and in a multicultural environment

Intern Status within UNICEF:

• Interns are considered gratis personnel and as such they are not staff members.
• Although not considered a staff member of UNICEF, the intern shall be subject to the authority of the Executive Director and the authority delegated by her to Director and Heads of Offices. Interns are not entitled to the privileges and immunities accorded by member states to UNICEF's officials and staff members.
• Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts.
• Interns may not represent UNICEF in any official capacity.

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 the Head of Office or Division Director.
• The UNICEF internship programme is not connected with employment and there is no expectancy of such. Interns cannot apply for posts advertised internally to UNICEF staff during the period of internship.

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness(3)Drive to achieve results for impact(4)Innovates and embraces change(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity(6)Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we 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 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can be a team member that can uphold these every day, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.

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

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