Internship: Research Intern, Digital Impact Division - Digital Inclusion, Geneva Switzerland (3 months, on-site)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture.., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, digital opportunities

The overarching strategic goal of UNICEF’s Digital Impact Division (DID) is to transform and build partnerships with our stakeholders to successfully implement UNICEF programmes globally through innovative technology-enabled solutions. UNICEF is going through an exciting digital transformation that will influence the work of the entire organization.

UNICEF’s Digital Inclusion programme supports governments and partners to improve equitable, affordable digital access for children, schools, and communities. The programme engages with regulators, operators, and public institutions to explore innovative approaches to connectivity, infrastructure governance, and digital public goods.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Digital Impact Division's Digital Inclusion section is looking for a Research Intern to support the Barcelona Tech Delivery team and the Strategic Partnerships team based in Geneva.

The Intern will support the Tech Delivery team with undergoing research and geospatial analysis of schools, health centers and other infrastructure, in the context of their accessibility under climate emergencies (especially floods). The Intern will focus their efforts on child-facing facilities and digital connectivity for the Global South. Moreover, the Intern will help with scientific writing of the methodology and the results.

The Intern will have the opportunity to learn about UNICEF’s mission, its various programmes, and how it operates globally, while being exposed to working in an international environment. The Intern will further develop their analytical and technical skills while participating in interesting research projects. If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Research Intern TOR July 2026.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Current or recent (graduated in the last 2 years) enrollment in an advanced university programme (Master’s or equivalent) in Computer Science, Data Science, Climate Risk or related discipline

• Ability to work 40 hrs/week in-person in Geneva.

• Knowledge of relevant climate and geospatial data sources and how to process them is required.

• Expertise in Python is required.

• PHD studies and publication(s) in an international journal on a closely related topic will be considered an advantage.

• Fluency in English is required. Spanish knowledge would be an asset.

• Communication: Effectively presents thoughts and ideas including complex technical concepts, in a clear, concise, and readily understood manner, both verbally and in writing. Listens to and acknowledges others' perspectives and views.

• Flexibility: Works effectively on multiple assignments simultaneously and adapts to changing demands and circumstances.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills – able to work well in a team environment.

• Strong attention to detail with solid writing as well as organization skills.

• Excellent listener.

• Commitment and drive for results.

Contract Duration and Terms

• The duration of this internship is 3 months starting in September 2026, with some flexibility regarding the start date.

• Internships are paid a monthly net stipend of USD 1700.00 per month for full-time arrangements (40hrs/week), which will be prorated according to attendance. Work arrangements are based on the effective regulations of the duty station, organizational needs and schedules of the interns.

Interns may take up to 2.5 days per month off work for any reason, including for medical reasons.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates’ willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel.
Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.