UNICEF Internship - SBC Section Internship

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. In Cameroon, UNICEF has been active since 1975, focusing on the rights of women and children, providing financial and technical support across various sectors including health, education, and child protection. The organization employs a significant number of staff and collaborates with various stakeholders to address the challenges faced by children and families in the country.

Job Overview:
The UNICEF internship program aims to support the implementation of the national Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Strategy in Cameroon. The interns will be deployed in two cohorts, each consisting of six interns for a period of six months. They will work closely with international and national UN Volunteers to enhance community engagement efforts in Child-Friendly Municipalities, promote accountability to affected populations, and support initiatives such as birth registration and the prevention of child marriage. The interns will gain practical experience while contributing to UNICEF's mission of improving the lives of children and families in Cameroon.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be responsible for providing operational, monitoring, and documentation support in various areas. This includes establishing and functioning of Family Circles in Child-Friendly Municipalities, promoting community participation for accountability to affected populations, supporting the expansion of birth registration initiatives, and implementing activities to prevent child marriage. They will also collect and compile activity data, document achievements and lessons learned, and prepare a final internship report summarizing their contributions and experiences during the internship.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be enrolled in a degree program or be recent graduates with a university degree in fields related to Social and Behaviour Change, Community Engagement, Development Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, or Social Psychology. They should demonstrate a strong interest in community engagement and behavior change, and have good academic performance as evidenced by recent university records. Additionally, candidates must not have immediate relatives working in any UNICEF office to ensure impartiality in the selection process.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes being enrolled in a degree program at a university or equivalent institution, having completed at least two years of full-time studies, or being a recent graduate (within two years of degree completion). A master's degree or higher in relevant fields is preferred, and candidates must provide a letter of verification from their educational institution at the onboarding stage.

Experience:
The internship is designed for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students, thus prior professional experience is not mandatory. However, a strong interest in community engagement, behavior change, and fieldwork is desirable. The internship provides an opportunity for students to gain practical experience in a professional setting while contributing to UNICEF's mission.

Languages:
Fluency in English or French is required, with excellent communication skills in either language. Knowledge of a local language, such as Fulfulde or Pidgin English, is considered an asset and may enhance the intern's ability to engage with local communities effectively.

Additional Notes:
The internship will last for six months, with interns required to observe the office hours from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Interns will receive a monthly stipend but will not have health coverage or other privileges. They must provide a valid medical certificate upon arrival and will have access to a workspace, a machine, and the Internet. Interns are expected to produce weekly reports on their activities, which will contribute to a final assessment and the issuance of an internship certificate upon completion. UNICEF emphasizes diversity and inclusion, and all selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks.