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, [hope]

The UNICEF Internship Programme offers qualified and eligible students the unique opportunity to acquire direct practical experience in UNICEF’s work and the United Nations system while working hands on under the direct supervision of experienced UNICEF staff.

To be considered for an internship with UNICEF, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree programme (or recent graduate);
• Be proficient in English, knowledge of an additional UN language is considered an asset; and
• Have excellent academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records. 

The UNICEF Archives’ goal is to take a systemic approach to preserving the organization’s institutional heritage. It aims to provide improved archival preservation of both physical and digital materials and create platforms for access through developing viable archival descriptions as well as engaging modern access platforms that satisfy client research needs. The Archives also aims to engage technology solutions through making use of new digital preservation capabilities. These goals will be implemented in line with the organizational strategy and information management requirements of stakeholders in various business areas.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

UNICEF offers the opportunity for talented students to gain professional experience while being exposed to the work of UNICEF. At the same time, UNICEF benefits from interns as a significant asset by providing updated academic knowledge and valuable skills to the organization.

The archives Intern will develop archival management skills and contribute to the building up of a viable archival repository that preserves and packages its information resources for easy and effective access. The intern will report to the UNICEF Archives Archivist. This internship will be for a period of 6 months.

Key Tasks and Deliverables:

Key Responsibilities:

The selected candidate will work directly with UNICEF’s archivists on selected archives management activities which include:

• Processing archival records according to the ISAD(G) standard;
• Housing archival records in archival folders and boxes including other repository management duties;
• Create descriptive metadata and producing finding aids for archival records;
• Preparation of physical records for digitization;
• Access and reference services;
• Any other duties as required.

Deliverables:

• Creation of Archival Finding aids
• Descriptive Metadata lists
• Digitization of archival items
• Archival items stored in appropriate folders and boxes properly labelled

Travel:  Travel is not required.

Requirement: 

Academic Degrees:

• To be enrolled in a degree programme in an undergraduate or graduate school in archival studies or library & information sciences or related field or be a recent graduate within the past two (2) years with specific post-secondary education in archival studies or library & information sciences or related field.
• A strong academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records.
• A reference letter from a current or past academic supervisor.

Professional Experience:

• Demonstrated understanding of international archival standards, including ISAD(G).
• Demonstrated understanding of archival metadata standards and their application.

Other Skills and Qualifications:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Applicants must have a legal status in the US and are permitted to work.
• No immediate relatives working in any UNICEF office or have any other relatives in the line of authority which the intern will report to.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Salary/Payment: UNICEF will provide a monthly stipend during the duration of this Internship. There is no expectancy of employment at the end of the internship.

Insurance: UNICEF will not be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the intern’s service. Therefore, the selected candidate must provide proof of enrolment in a health/accident plan prior to starting his/her work.

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: 

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

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

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.