Intern, Climate Change and SRHR

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) is the lead UN agency focused on delivering 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 mission to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and sustainable development. The organization is committed to achieving three transformative results by 2030: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of addressing the impacts of climate change on health and rights, particularly for women and girls, and calls for collaborative efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic while advancing these goals.

Job Overview:
The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Climate Change and Innovation at the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO). The primary focus of this internship is to support the Evidence, Knowledge, and Innovation (EKI) team in various capacities, including event organization, advocacy, and research related to the intersections of climate change, gender, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The intern will engage in a structured work plan that outlines specific achievements and learning opportunities throughout the 12-week internship. Regular progress meetings will be held to ensure a supportive environment that enhances the intern's skills and capacity in alignment with UNFPA's mandate.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's main tasks will include supporting the positioning of UNFPA and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Agenda in climate change advocacy and policy engagement. This involves assisting in the design and organization of key virtual, in-person, and hybrid events, delivering UNFPA climate projects, and managing knowledge dissemination. The intern will also contribute to the development of proposals for mobilizing climate finance for adaptation and resilience actions, as well as support the Communications Unit in creating communication materials such as social media posts, press releases, and newsletters to raise awareness of UNFPA ESARO's work on climate change. Additionally, the intern will engage in knowledge generation and capacity-building efforts by conducting research on the impact of climate change on gender equality and SRHR in East and Southern Africa, developing knowledge products, and coordinating training workshops for stakeholders in the region.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet specific educational and eligibility requirements to qualify for the internship. Interns should be enrolled in a postgraduate degree program in a relevant field such as international development, public health, or gender studies, or have recently graduated with a relevant university degree. They must demonstrate a strong interest in development issues and possess written and spoken proficiency in at least one of the UN's working languages (English or French), as well as fluency in the official language of the UNFPA office. Additionally, candidates should exhibit adaptability to new environments and the ability to establish good working relationships with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes enrollment in or recent graduation from a postgraduate degree program in fields related to international development, public health, women or gender studies, or population and development. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of climate change, gender issues, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Experience:
Interns are expected to have some experience working with development agencies, which can include volunteer work. This experience should demonstrate their ability to engage with development issues and contribute to the organization's goals. Strong analytical and writing skills are also essential, along with the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues from various national and cultural backgrounds.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations. Knowledge of additional languages is considered an asset, enhancing the intern's ability to communicate and collaborate effectively within the diverse environment of UNFPA.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position with a duration of 12 weeks. Interns will not receive a salary or remuneration from UNFPA; however, they may receive a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses if they are not financially supported by an institution. Interns are responsible for their living expenses, accommodation, and travel arrangements. It is mandatory for interns to have medical insurance for the duration of the internship, and proof of insurance must be submitted before the internship begins. UNFPA does not provide medical insurance for interns.