Thought Leadership and Strategic Engagement Internship, Global Programme Division, Director's Ofiice, New-Your HQ (3 months/onsite-or remote)

UNICEF

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

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 works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most
disadvantaged children, to save their lives, defend their rights, and help them
fulfil 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.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child across
all programmes and operations, with a focus on equity, prioritizing the most
disadvantaged and excluded children to ensure they have equal opportunities to
survive and develop.

Within this, the Global Programme Division (GPD) drives programme excellence by
providing global strategic leadership, developing standards, and generating
high-impact, evidence-based solutions that link global policy with
implementation.

Complementing this structure, Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Nairobi, Panama,
Amman, and Bangkok provide high-quality, demand-driven technical assistance to
Country and Regional Offices. These centres function as a single-entry point for
support across policy reform, programme design, public finance, and
institutional strengthening, ensuring that global standards are informed by
implementation experience.

As the Division transitions from set-up to delivery, there is an increasing
focus on strengthening Programme Thought Leadership and strategic engagement,
both internally and externally. This includes consolidating key intellectual
products and enhancing how the Division communicates its work, influences global
conversations, and engages partners.

This internship will support these priorities within the Director’s Office,
offering exposure to global policy, communication, and programme delivery.

How can you make a difference?

In this role, you will support the Office of the Director of the Global
Programme Division across two priority areas:

Programme Thought Leadership – Set-up and Delivery

You will support the establishment and operationalization of the Division’s
Programme Thought Leadership space, contributing to the following streams:

Journal / Field Notes series: Support the structuring and launch of a series
capturing field-based insights and lessons learned.
Staff Working Paper series: Contribute to the development of an internal
analytical platform, including formatting, coordination, and review
processes.
Staff engagement (e.g., book club): Support the design and operationalization
of internal engagement initiatives to foster dialogue and learning.

You will play a project management and coordination role, helping move these
initiatives from pilot stage to structured implementation.

Strategic Internal and External Engagement

You will support strengthening the Division’s strategic communications and
external visibility:

Director’s external engagement: Support the development and management of a
pipeline of LinkedIn articles and posts, including drafting, editing, and
publishing.
Newsletter: Contribute to refining and coordinating an organization-wide
newsletter.
Digital presence: Explore and support additional communication channels
(e.g., Instagram, WhatsApp), aligned with strategic objectives.
Strategic messaging: Support the drafting of key messages, talking points,
and communication materials for internal and external audiences.
Staff engagement: Support internal communication and engagement efforts
across staff networks and platforms.

Requirements

• Have the following eligibility requirements. [https://www.unicef.org/careers/internships#Requirements]
• Be enrolled in or have recently completed (within the past year), a graduate or advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, economics, social sciences, political science, international development, communications, or related disciplines).
• Strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise, and compelling content for different audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Analytical thinking and intellectual curiosity, with an interest in global policy, development, or strategic communications.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and synthesize inputs into structured outputs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools; familiarity with digital or content management platforms is an asset.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken), an additional UN language is an asset.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or interest in consulting, strategy, research, communications, or digital engagement is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Support the structuring and launch of a series capturing field-based insights and lessons learned.
• Contribute to the development of an internal analytical platform, including formatting, coordination, and review processes.
• Support the design and operationalization of internal engagement initiatives to foster dialogue and learning.
• Support the development and management of a pipeline of LinkedIn articles and posts, including drafting, editing, and publishing.
• Contribute to refining and coordinating an organization-wide newsletter.
• Explore and support additional communication channels (e.g., Instagram, WhatsApp), aligned with strategic objectives.
• Support the drafting of key messages, talking points, and communication materials for internal and external audiences.
• Support internal communication and engagement efforts across staff networks and platforms.

Benefits

• Exposure to high-level strategic discussions and global programme priorities.
• Opportunity to contribute to thought leadership influencing global policy and partnerships.
• Hands-on experience in strategic communications and executive office support.
• Experience working in a multicultural, mission-driven environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees