National Internship: Gender and Human Rights

The Position:

The intern will support the Gender & Human Rights Unit of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Office in Uganda to implement its Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Programme. The internship will have a duration of a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months. The internship will focus on the areas of programme analysis and strategic advisory on gender issues, gender-based violence and harmful practices under the direct supervision of the Gender Programme Specialist and under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Programme Coordinator, Gender and Youth. A work plan with expected results and achievements for the Internship and learning opportunities will be agreed upon at the beginning of the assignment. Periodic progress meetings will lead to a beneficial environment for the Intern, enhancing her/his skills and capacity in areas related to UNFPA’s mandate.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

UNFPA in Uganda

For over 20 years, UNFPA has been operating in and assisting the Government of Uganda, to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRH) information and services; youth empowerment; gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) and availability and utilization of quality disaggregated data for planning and programs. The Country Programme Document which guides UNFPA work in Uganda, is in its tenth cycle from 2026 to 2030. It is aligned with Uganda’s National Vision 2041, National Development Plan IV 2025-2030, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2026-2030); and the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026-2030.

Key areas of UNFPA’s programme in Uganda include the following:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), with the aim to realize:
• Increased national and sub-national capacity to deliver integrated sexual and reproductive health services, with a particular focus on adolescents and young people;
• Increased access to modern contraceptives by youth and marginalized populations through improved capacity of government, civil society organizations and private providers to deliver equitable, high-quality family planning services.
• Increased national capacity of Government, Civil Society Organizations and Private Institutions to deliver comprehensive maternal health services.
• Adolescents and Youth, with the aim to realize increased Government capacity and Civil Society Organizations to design and implement comprehensive programs to reach marginalized adolescents and implement community-based life skills education programs that promote human rights and gender equality.
• Gender equality and women’s empowerment, with the aim to realize strengthened national capacity of Government and Civil Society to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, and child marriage.
• Population Dynamics aims to realize the strengthened capacity of Government and national institutions for the availability and utilization of quality disaggregated data for formulation, implementation and monitoring of policies and programs, including in humanitarian settings.

The Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Programme

UNFPA is one of the UN's lead agencies working to further gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) and to address the physical and emotional consequences of gender-based violence (GBV). In Uganda, we prioritize advancing GEWE by supporting initiatives to prevent and respond to GBV and harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early and child marriage. Our support for the National Plans of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (NPA-VAWC) are at the core of our current GEWE Programme to tackle GBV and harmful practices at the policy and implementation level.

We work with government, UN Agencies, and international and local organizations to provide medical care and social support for the survivors of GBV as well as to increase accountability and to prevent GBV more broadly. This includes:

• Advocating for the implementation of policy and legal reforms and supporting the development of guidelines and standard operating procedures;
• Strengthening the capacity of national mechanisms to contribute to the prevention of GBV and harmful practices, facilitate recovery and ensure access to justice for survivors;
• Enhancing the capacity of duty bearers (police, judiciary, healthcare providers) to provide accessible, effective and quality GBV prevention and response services;
• Empowering women and girls to stand up for their right to live a life free from violence.
• Supporting public education campaigns on GBV and harmful practices.

Job Purpose:

The Intern will contribute to a technical team working on the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Programme.

You would be responsible for:

• Research, collect and analyze documents/information on topics of country-specific interest and UNFPA mandate, including contributing to the development of specific programme analytical briefs, briefing notes, notes to file and memos;
• Develop background documents and concept notes related to initiatives to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and harmful practices;
• Support reviews and periodic documentation and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices related to GBV interventions of the country office;
• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation activities for the Gender & Human Rights Unit by taking part as part of the team in reviewing and analysing implementing partners’ quarterly reports and assisting in developing tools to better track the country office work on gender;
• Support in drafting of communication documents on the topic of gender-based violence and harmful practices in collaboration with the Communications Unit;
• Support the editing and formatting of documents and assist with administrative duties, including correspondence to internal and external partners etc.;
• Assist in organizing related meetings, seminars and workshops;
• Attend internal and external meetings as relevant to the assignment and prepare meeting minutes;
• Keep self-updated on developments in assigned areas of work;
• Perform any other task as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Applicants to UNFPA’s internship programme must, at the time of application, meet one of the following 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 trainee programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Some experience in working with development agencies, including in a volunteer capacity;
• Some experience in gender issues, women’s rights, protection, gender-based violence, harmful practices and/or other related field;
• Fluency in English language skills;
• Strong analytical and writing skills;
• Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds.

Languages:

• Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages.

Learning Elements:

Upon completion of the assignment, and depending on its duration, the Intern will gain the following knowledge assets:

• Understand UNFPA mandate and policies;
• Acquire first-hand experience with the day-to-day working environment of UNFPA;
• Understand and familiarizewith the initiatives of the UNFPA Uganda Country Programme;
• Understand UNFPA programme design and delivery mechanisms;
• Understand the dynamics of operational and programme support and communications to the field;
• Learn UN technical language, working procedures, and coordination mechanisms;
• Write and formulate substantive documents;
• Network with UN colleagues;
• Work experience as a team member in a multicultural setting.

Financial Aspects:

The interns will receive a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship if not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation, or scholarship programme. In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the internship duration. Proof of insurance will need to be submitted before the internship begins. UNFPA does not provide medical insurance for interns.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.