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 needs for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA is known for its dedication to high-impact results and seeks candidates who can transform, inspire, and deliver sustained outcomes.

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) in Johannesburg, South Africa. The intern will provide support in policy research and development, as well as programme advisory services, specifically catering 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 achievements and learning opportunities throughout the internship, with periodic progress meetings to enhance skills and capacity in alignment with UNFPA's mandate. This role is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the UNFPA's operations and the dynamics of policy and programme support in the context of 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 political, social, and economic environments relevant to sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and population development in selected middle-income countries. They will contribute 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. Additionally, the intern will assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of technical cooperation programmes aimed at strengthening national development planning frameworks through sustainable financing. The intern will also support the organization of trainings, consultations, and meetings initiated by the MIC-Hub as per the annual work plan, and assist with any other tasks as required by the MIC-Hub at 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, or having recently graduated with a university degree. Additionally, candidates must 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 and maintain 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 and meet one of the following educational criteria: A) Enrollment in a postgraduate degree programme (master’s or higher); B) Enrollment in the final year of a first university degree programme (bachelor’s or equivalent); C) Recent graduation from a university degree programme as defined in (A) and (B), with the requirement to start the internship within one year of graduation; D) Enrollment in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme at a recognized university, undertaking the internship as part of this programme.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to possess strong analytical and writing skills. While specific prior experience is not mandated, a demonstrated interest in development issues and familiarity with the UNFPA's mission and operations will be advantageous for applicants.

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 arrangements, and must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship. Proof of insurance is required before the internship begins. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.