FGM Advocacy Intern

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that aims to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 4,000 employees. The organization focuses on reproductive health, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, addressing issues such as gender-based violence and harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM). UNFPA's mission is to promote the rights of individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health and to ensure that every person can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda, particularly in the context of the Decade of Action leading up to 2030.

Job Overview:
The FGM Advocacy Intern will work under the direct supervision of the GBV Technical Specialist and the guidance of the GBV Regional Advisor. This internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in advocacy and policy engagement related to harmful practices, specifically focusing on female genital mutilation in Southeast Asia. The intern will support the planning, development, and implementation of advocacy and research activities linked to the initiative 'Breaking the Silence: Increasing Accountability on Addressing Female Genital Mutilation in Southeast Asia.' The role includes contributing to the development of advocacy materials, assisting in partner coordination, and supporting research efforts to address FGM/C. The intern will also participate in periodic progress meetings to enhance their skills and understanding of UNFPA's mandate and the broader regional context.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for several key tasks aimed at advancing UNFPA's FGM advocacy priorities. These include:

• Advocacy Support: Developing advocacy materials such as briefs, fact sheets, social media content, and policy messages to raise awareness of FGM/C as a human rights and public health issue in Southeast Asia.
• Programme Implementation and Coordination: Assisting with partner coordination by drafting meeting notes and following up on action points, as well as contributing to the organization of webinars and cross-regional learning exchanges with partners.
• Research and Knowledge Management: Supporting the implementation of research on the harms of FGM/C in Asia, identifying key messages and recommendations, and assisting in the preparation of progress updates, success stories, and documentation of lessons learned for donor and internal reporting.
• Monitoring and Learning: Contributing to periodic progress meetings with the GBV/HP team to review deliverables and reflect on learning objectives, ensuring that the intern's contributions align with the overall goals of the initiative.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the FGM Advocacy Intern position should possess a strong educational background in public health, midwifery, health sciences, social sciences, development studies, or other related fields. Additionally, candidates should have some experience working with development agencies, including volunteer capacities, and some experience in research or advocacy focused on addressing harmful practices. Strong analytical and writing skills are essential, along with the ability to demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, and the capacity to work harmoniously with colleagues from diverse national and cultural backgrounds. Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of additional languages is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates applying for the internship must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme or higher);
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as a bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
• Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (A) and (B) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation;
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have some level of experience working with development agencies, which can include volunteer work. Additionally, candidates should have some experience in research or advocacy related to harmful practices, particularly in the context of gender-based violence and health issues. This experience will help the intern effectively contribute to the goals of the initiative and support the overall mission of UNFPA.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages is considered an asset, as it may enhance the intern's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to advocacy efforts across different regions.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and interns do not receive a salary or any other form of remuneration from UNFPA. The costs associated with participation in the programme must be covered either by the nominating institution or by the interns themselves, who will need to manage their living expenses, accommodation, travel, and other requirements. However, interns may receive a small stipend to help cover basic daily expenses if they are not financially supported by any institution or programme. Additionally, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship, and proof of insurance will need to be submitted before the internship begins. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and healthy work-life balance, and encourages applications from individuals from underrepresented groups.