Policy and Programme Support Intern

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the 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 expand choices and possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. The organization is committed to achieving three transformative results in its strategic plan for 2022-2025: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working collaboratively to deliver high-impact results in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Job Overview:
The Policy and Programme Support Intern will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Middle Income Country Hub (MIC-Hub) at the UNFPA Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO). The intern's primary responsibilities will include supporting the MIC-Hub staff in policy research and development, as well as providing program advisory services to Country Offices in selected middle-income countries in Southern Africa, including Botswana, Eswatini, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, and South Africa. The intern will engage in a structured work plan that outlines specific achievements and learning opportunities throughout the internship, with periodic progress meetings designed to enhance their skills and capacity in alignment with UNFPA's mandate. This role is crucial for fostering a deeper understanding of the political, social, and economic environments that impact sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and population development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including: monitoring trends and developments in the political, social, and economic environments relevant to sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and population development in selected middle-income countries; contributing to the preparation of policy briefs, reports, and other research outputs in line with the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action; assisting in the development, implementation, and evaluation of technical cooperation programmes focused on sustainable financing to strengthen national development planning frameworks; supporting the organization of trainings, consultations, and meetings initiated by the MIC-Hub as per the annual work plan; and assisting with any other tasks as required by the MIC-Hub, ESARO.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements to apply for the internship. These include being enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme at a recognized university, being in the final academic year of a first university degree programme, having recently graduated with a university degree, or being enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in the field of development, possess written and spoken proficiency in English, and show the ability to adapt to new environments while maintaining good working relationships with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. It is important to note that individuals with close family ties to UNFPA staff members are not eligible for the internship.

Educational Background:
Applicants must be enrolled in a recognized university program that meets one of the following criteria: a postgraduate degree programme (master's or higher), the final academic year of a first university degree programme (bachelor's or equivalent), or have recently graduated from such programs. Alternatively, candidates may be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to possess strong analytical and writing skills. While specific prior work experience is not mandated, a demonstrated interest in development and relevant academic background will be beneficial for candidates.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of other official UN languages, particularly French and/or Spanish, is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position, requiring approximately 40 hours of work per week, starting from mid-August 2025 and lasting for a duration of 6 months. Interns will not receive a salary or remuneration from UNFPA; however, they may receive a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses if not financially supported by an institution. Interns are responsible for their own living expenses, accommodation, travel, and other requirements. Additionally, proof of medical insurance is required before the internship begins, as UNFPA does not provide medical insurance for interns. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.