Internship – Child Protection Programme

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, how can you make a difference?

The Protection Section of UNICEF Sri Lanka works in partnership with the Government and engages in activities, inter alia with the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General’s Department, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and the Department of Probation. Areas of work include support to expedite cases involving children, advocacy to prevent and respond to violence against children as well as upstream work on policy formulation and resource mobilization.  

 The section is offering opportunities to do an internship to students interested in pursuing a carrier related to children’s rights or graduates in law to enable the intern gain experience in work related to protection of rights of children.    

 

Tasks and responsibilities 

Under the overall guidance of the Child Protection Manager, Focal Point, the intern will support the work of the section related to Justice for Children, Violence Against Children (VAC) and Alternative Care. Tasks will be assigned based on capacity and experience (eg graduates will be assigned more responsible tasks than students)  

 

The specific tasks may include   

• Participating in meetings with partners and preparation of notes of meetings 
• Research on specific subjects related to the above subject areas 
• Taking courses as per guidance provided by the Child Protection Team in Agora related to care and protection of children 
• Preparation of briefs, presentations, draft proposals and budgets  
• Compilation of reports related to projects with partners 
• Any other reasonable task assigned by the supervisor 

 

Learning opportunities for the INTERN 

• General understanding of the mission of UNICEF, the main programmes implemented in Sri Lanka on child protection and the role of stakeholders and partners at national and sub national level 
• Insight and hands on experience in UNICEF’s role in promoting children’s rights
• Insight and hands on experience in organizing and running complex projects  
• Becoming familiar with working in a United Nation’s agency and in a multicultural environment. 

 

 Expected outputs

• Maintenance of notes capturing the day to day tasks undertaken, meetings attended etc 
• Products related to assigned tasks 
• End of Assignment Report 

 

Duration  four to twelve weeks 

Tentative Start date: 15 June 2021

RENUMERATION A monthly allowance   

 

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

•  Education Recent LLB graduate, Attorney at Law, law student reading for LLB or Attorneys, Post Advanced Level Students awaiting entry to University or Law School, other relevant degree with a demonstrated commitment to children’s rights.  
• Interest Interest in development-related fields, humanitarian work, and children’s rights 
• Language skills Written and spoken proficiency in English and one of the National Languages (Sinhala or Tamil)  
• Good oral and written communications skills and demonstrated research abilities and interest  
• Internet proficiency as well as proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.  
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old. 
• Have excellent academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records. 

 

General Terms and Conditions 

The Assignment operates on a monthly allowance basis. Costs and arrangements for travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the volunteer. 

The purpose of the Assignment is not to lead to further employment with UNICEF but to complement studies and to gain experience. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship. 

UNICEF accepts no responsibility for the intern’s medical insurance or for any other cost during the Assignment. Interns are required to have their own medical insurance coverage.  

 

How to apply

Those who possess the required qualifications and wish to apply for the above opportunity must submit an application via TMS with an updated CV and copies of the highest educational certificates  

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

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 team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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