Youth, Peace and Security(YPS) Intern - (6 months duration) - WCARO, Dakar, Senegal

In person modality (but remote arrangement can be discussed)

The Position:

The YPS Intern will be based at the UNFPA West and Central Africa Regional Office in Dakar. Under the direct supervision of the Youth, Peace and Security Specialist, the intern will work in close collaboration with relevant program teams.
A work-plan with achievements for the duration of the Internship and learning opportunities will be agreed upon. 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 UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

You would be responsible for:

Under the supervision of the YPS Specialist, the intern will support:

1. Research and Analysis:

• Support background research on youth participation in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and humanitarian action in the country office.
• Support in monitoring and compiling reports on national and regional YPS policies and initiatives.
• Support the development of briefing notes, fact sheets, and policy documents on YPS-related topics.

2. Project Support:

• Assist in facilitating the regional planning, coordination, and technical oversight of Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) projects and initiatives across country offices.
• Support implementation of regional office activities related to youth engagement in peace processes, mediation, and conflict prevention.
• Contribute to the design of youth-led peacebuilding initiatives and training sessions.

3. Communication and Advocacy:

• Draft social media content, newsletters, and blog posts to promote YPS activities.
• Assist in developing advocacy materials for youth-focused campaigns on peace and security.
• Support the organization of webinars, dialogues, and workshops with young peacebuilders.

4. Partnership and Coordination:

• Support engagement with youth networks, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• Assist in documenting best practices and lessons learned from YPS interventions.
• Participate in inter-agency meetings and provide administrative support for YPS coordination efforts.

Qualifying for an Internship

All interns must meet the following educational and other eligibility requirements:

Educational requirements

A. Be enrolled in a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and have completed one full academic year;

B. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as master’s programme or higher);

C. Have recently graduated with a university degree as defined above and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation; or

D. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional trainee programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Other eligibility requirements

• Demonstrated interest in the field of development, peace and security, youth engagement, and related fields.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Prior experience volunteering in youth-led initiatives, peacebuilding, or humanitarian work is an advantage.
• Ability to adapt to new environments and to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.

Languages:

• Demonstrated written and spoken proficiency in English and French is required
• Portuguese and/or Spanish will be an asset.

Learning Elements:

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

1. Understand the UNFPA mandate and policies, including the regional role and structure.

2. Learn the substance of the Youth Peace and Security agenda

3. Understand UNFPA programme design and delivery mechanisms

4. Understand the dynamics of operational and programme support and communications to the field.

5. Learn UN technical language, working procedures, and coordination mechanisms

6. Write and formulate substantive documents

7. Network with UN colleagues

8. Work experience as a team member in a multicultural setting

Competencies

• Analytical Skills
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Client Orientation

Financial Aspects:

Interns do not receive a salary or any other form of remuneration from UNFPA. The costs associated with an intern's participation in the programme must be assumed either by the nominating institution, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students, or by the students themselves, who will have to meet living expenses as well as make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and other requirements. However, they 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. The amount of the stipend varies according to the intern’s agreed place of work, which may be different from the duty station of the hiring office in cases of remote arrangements.

In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship. 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:

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.