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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 Framework (UNSDF) 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.

Kindly click on the link https://www.unicef.org/ghana/ to know more about what we do.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Ghana’s WASH programme supports the Government of Ghana to improve access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene services for children and their families. Central to this is the generation, use, and sharing of knowledge to improve programme quality, promote accountability, and foster innovation. To strengthen its knowledge management systems, the WASH section seeks an intern to support documentation, data organization, and dissemination of key information to internal and external stakeholders.

The context of this work will be guided by UNICEF’s Global WASH Knowledge Management Strategy 2022-2025, which defines KM as a management activity seeking to enhance the organization, integration, sharing and delivery of knowledge and learning across UNICEF and the WASH sector.

The purpose of this internship is to support knowledge and information management for the WASH programme, including the DANIDA supported Water Access Project. The intern will contribute to collecting, organizing, packaging, and sharing knowledge resources, and support reporting and communication efforts to enhance evidence-based programming and learning.

The intern will gain practical experience in programme documentation, UNICEF systems and tools, internal communication, and knowledge management processes. This includes mentorship and direct engagement with WASH professionals.

The assignment is designed to support innovation and capacity building in information management systems, content packaging, and digital knowledge platforms. These functions benefit from a fresh perspective and a dedicated role. It also aligns with UNICEF’s commitment to nurturing young talent and strengthening expertise in the WASH sector.

Tasks to be completed

Strengthening WASH Section Internal Documentation

In collaboration with members of the WASH Team, update the share-point site, ensuring that it serves as a functional reference library for the team. Detailed tasks to be undertaken include:

•Support the organization, classification, and regular updating of WASH programme documentation on UNICEF Ghana’s SharePoint, ensuring documents are well-labelled, tagged, and easily retrievable by all team members.

•Assist in compiling key programme documents for uploading to SharePoint, maintaining and updating the WASH SharePoint library to ensure accuracy, control, and accessibility of knowledge assets such as reports, case studies, guidance notes, and tools.

•Develop and refine folder structures and document management protocols (standard operating procedures (SOPs) or user guides) for WASH SharePoint in consultation with the WASH team and IT focal points, ensuring alignment with global and regional standards.

•Support the creation of an internal inventory or catalogue of available WASH knowledge resources and track updates or gaps.

•Coordinate with team members to migrate, archive, or clean outdated or duplicate documents in the WASH shared drive and SharePoint library.

Data and Knowledge Product Development

•Support the compilation of WASH data from ongoing interventions, develop knowledge products in easily digestible formats and ensure dissemination to target audiences. Detailed tasks to be engaged in are outlined below:

•Support periodic data compilation from partners and stakeholders and upload monitoring reports, infographics, and dashboards to SharePoint for programme performance tracking.

•Assist in the documentation and dissemination of best practices, lessons learned, infographics/dashboards and innovations from WASH programmes to stakeholders and implementing partners and contribute to the UNICEF WASH Information Bulletins.

•In collaboration with WASH staff, support the generation of knowledge products and package knowledge generated within the WASH programme into UNICEF Field Notes, summarized reports, human interest stories, infographics, etc. for enhanced sector learning.

Knowledge Management Strategy

•Support capacity building of WASH to roll out relevant components of the WASH knowledge management strategy. The Intern is expected to undertake the following in the execution of this task:

•Support staff to ensure that knowledge is routinely managed and used to scale up evidence-based programming.

•Contribute to the planning and coordination of UNICEF knowledge-sharing sessions, such as brown bag meetings, thematic learning sessions etc. and provide documentation support for these.

•Assist in training sessions or on-boarding briefings for staff on navigating and utilizing WASH SharePoint resources.

•Perform any other related tasks assigned by the supervisor in support of improving document management and knowledge-sharing systems.

Expected Deliverables

i. Organized WASH SharePoint Library with Document Management SOP - All WASH folders and documents organized using a logical folder structure, labeled and tagged with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Quick Guide for naming, storing, and accessing WASH documents on SharePoint.

ii. Updated Inventory of Knowledge Assets- Comprehensive list of available knowledge products (reports, case studies, guidance notes) with updated status.

iii. WASH Knowledge Products- At least two knowledge products (Field Note, human interest stories, infographic, or case study) prepared and shared on Internal and/or external platforms, including UNICEF website, internal bulletin and Sector coordination platforms

iv. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing- At least one update session on knowledge management practices and organized for the WASH team

v. Regular updating of WASH share point - Monthly update of WASH data and documents in SharePoint as per the KM SOP

vi. Final Internship Summary Report- Brief presentation/report summarizing key contributions, lessons learned, and recommendations.

Supervision and Reporting Arrangement

The intern will work under the supervision of and report to the Chief of WASH or his designate, and in close coordination with the WASH Programme Associate.

Payment and Payment Schedule

Interns not receiving stipends from governmental or non-governmental bodies will receive a monthly stipend. The Intern will receive a monthly stipend equivalent to 70% of the net monthly salary for GS Level 3, Step 1.

Status

•Interns are not considered staff members. Notwithstanding this status, they shall observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions and procedures and directives of UNICEF.

•Interns shall not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against posts.

•Interns shall respect the impartiality and independence required of UNICEF and shall not seek or 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 receiving office/division, 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.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

•Proof of enrolment in an undergraduate or advanced degree programme in a reference letter from school confirming student requires internship or Up-to-date university transcript or Statement of result/certificate evidencing completion of a degree within the last two years (if applicable).

•Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

•Academic background in Data Management, Information Management, Computer science, Information technology, or social science fields relevant to information management.

•Background/training in Public Health, Environmental Science, Engineering or Communication is an added advantage.

•Demonstrated ability in, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.

•Ability to learn and apply UNICEF’s systems, particularly SharePoint and other internal document libraries, with minimal supervision.

•Strong Proficiency in excel and data visualization is required.

•Excellent writing skills and ability to summarize technical information into digestible formats like briefs, reports, case studies, and human-interest stories.

•Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural team, with flexibility to support various tasks as needed.

•Working knowledge of geospatial software will be an added advantage

•Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) and/or local language(s) is an asset.

•Have no relatives (father, mother, brother or sister) working in any UNICEF office.

•Have no other relatives in the line of authority which the intern will report to.

Skills :

Strong Proficiency in excel and data visualization is required.
Excellent writing skills and ability to summarize technical information into digestible formats like briefs, reports, case studies, and human-interest stories.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural team, with flexibility to support various tasks as needed
Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) and/or local language(s) is an asset.

Desirables:

Working knowledge of geospatial software will be an added advantage
Background/training in Public Health, Environmental Science, Engineering or Communication is an added advantage.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.

National Intern: WASH Knowledge Management (KM), Accra Ghana- 26 Weeks