UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, an advocate.

UNICEF has been the leading child-rights organization, and a respected partner, for saving and improving children’s lives.

In Ghana, UNICEF cooperates with the Government and other partners to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to ensure equitable access to quality social services, and to expand children’s opportunities to reach their full potential.

With offices in Accra and Tamale, the UNICEF team seeks to achieve results in strategic programme areas. The overall goal is for every child to survive and thrive, to live in a safe and clean environment, to learn, to be protected from violence and exploitation, and to have an equitable chance in life. The current Country Programme of cooperation is aligned with the Government priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Partnership (UNSDP) and Key Results for Children (KRCs) in the West and Central African Region (immunization, nutrition, learning outcomes, ending violence and open defecation). UNICEF main strategies include evidence-based advocacy, system strengthening, integrated programming across sectors, emergency preparedness and response, and innovation.

To know more about what we do, kindly click on the link https://www.unicef.org/ghana/

Background

While Social Protection in Ghana has the potential to significantly impact incomes, equity, and access to social services for the extreme poor and vulnerable, the lack of rigorous research and studies on social protection may hinder achieving its potential. Developing a social protection system needs to be driven by up-to-date evidence-based research as well as comparative research that can support actions and strategies in the realm of legal frameworks, policy processes, coordination and system approach, to shape the present and future models for social protection for Ghana. The social protection unit over the years have generated lots of evidence based on research, assessments, operational assessments, impact evaluations etc. that have shaped our work in the sector. Based on key priorities and emerging areas, the social protection unit has been working with research partners to generate evidence to fill some knowledge gaps and to provide insights into new ways/international best practices relevant for our work.

How you can make a difference

Join our team as an intern and support the unit to implement selected pieces of ongoing research/impact evaluations and translation of evidence into practice.

As a team member, you will specifically be required to do the following:

1. Support the review of selected research products
2. Support the development of policy documents based on evidence generated
3. Support the dissemination of evidence and its utilization

Tasks to be completed

1. Support the unit to review and provide inputs into research products. This will involve participating in review meetings with relevant research institutions as required.
2. Support the unit to develop policy briefs based on selected research products by working with a designer and communication unit for the layout and design of the policy briefs.
3. Support the organization of at least 2 dissemination events on the results of two research products.

Expected Deliverables  

1. At least four draft social protection reports reviewed, and inputs provided.
2. The development, finalization, design, and printing of at least 6 policy documents supported.
3. Two dissemination events supported.

Supervision and Reporting Arrangement

The intern will be coached and closely supervised by the Social Protection Specialist. S/he will work in close collaboration with the social protection team.

Payment and Payment Schedule

The Intern will receive monthly stipend in accordance with UNICEF guidelines.

Time Frame

January-May 2022

Official Travel Involved

The assignment is based in the Ghana Country office, Accra and will involve a limited number of trips outside Accra. As much as possible, field trips for interns should be minimized to mitigate risks. Arrangement for field trips will be facilitated by the office in the smoothest available way at that point in time. In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, field travel for intern must be confirmed and strongly justified by supervisor in writing.

Copyright, Patents, and other Proprietary Rights (if applicable)

UNICEF shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to documents and other materials which bear a direct relation to or are prepared or collected in consequence or in the course of the execution of this contract.

General Terms & Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

The intern will be based in UNICEF GCO in Accra. The office will provide equipment and materials necessary for the assignment. The intern will abide by all conditions as per attached UNICEF intern guideline. If required to travel as part of official duty, the intern shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred during official travel authorized by UNICEF. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA or a full board arrangement).

Interns may take up to 2.5 days per month off work for any reason, including for medical reasons. The stipend will be reduced for any absence beyond this quota. The quota is cumulative over the duration of the internship, but there will be no compensation or carry-over to another internship or appointment for unused leave days at the end of the internship.

Expected Qualifications, Experience, Specialized Knowledge/Skills and Competencies

• Proof of enrolment in an undergraduate or graduate programme in a University and official letter from school confirming student requires internship.
• Up-to date university transcript.
• Statement of understanding.
• OR Statement of result/certificate evidencing completion of first degree within the last two years.
• Fields of study in social sciences or related courses.
• Demonstrated ability in report analysis and synthesis of key findings.
• Fluency in English is required.

Status

• Interns are not staff members. Notwithstanding this status, interns shall observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions and procedures and directives of UNICEF.
• Interns may contact the Ethics Office and the Ombudsman Office on any issues relating to the UNICEF policy on Prohibition of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority (POLICY/DHR/2020/002), and UNICEF policy on Whistle-blower protection against retaliation (DHR/POLICY/2018/001), or as amended.
• Interns shall not be sought or accepted as substitutes to perform staff functions.
• Interns shall respect the impartiality and independence required of UNICEF and shall not seek nor accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to UNICEF.
• Unless otherwise authorized by the hiring office, interns may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, government, or any external source any information which has become known to them by reasons of their association with UNICEF. They may not use any such information without the written authorization, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations do not lapse after the end of the internship.
• Interns shall refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF and not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of UNICEF.
• There is no expectation of employment at the end of the internship. Interns are eligible to apply for positions within UNICEF. Break in service is not required when applying to positions at UNICEF.
• Interns are considered external candidates when applying for staff positions within UNICEF. The internship may be considered as relevant work experience if relevant to a post, in accordance with UNICEF procedure on Step Determination (DHR/PROCEDURE/2019/006), or as amended