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, opportunity

UNICEF’s mission in Moldova is to make sure every child in the country is healthy, educated and safe from harm, therefore having the best start in life and a fair chance to reach her or his full potential and benefit from the country’s prosperity. We believe children have a right to live in a more equitable society, where their voices are heard, and needs met as a matter of priority in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. More information on what we do in Moldova is available at: https://www.unicef.org/moldova.

The Education Section supports the development and implementation of education sector policies, strategies, and programs aimed at ensuring equitable access to quality learning opportunities for all children in Moldova, including children with disabilities, refugees, ethnic minorities and those from vulnerable social background. Working in close partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, local authorities, educational institutions, and development partners, the Education Section contributes to strengthening education systems, enhancing the capacities of education professionals, and promoting evidence-based policy development. Key areas of work include early childhood education, foundational learning, digital transformation in education, inclusive education, youth engagement, social and behavioural change interventions, and others. Within the inclusive education portfolio, UNICEF collaborates closely with the Republican Centre for Psycho-Pedagogical Assistance and implementing partners to advance the educational inclusion of children with disabilities and special educational needs through the provision of assistive technologies, capacity building of teaching and support staff, development of inclusive practices, and strengthening of support services at school and community levels.

The Programme Intern will contribute to the implementation of the inclusive education portfolio of the Education Section and will report to the assigned Education Officer, who will assume the role of the Mentor during the assignment. Under the supervision and guidance of the Mentor, the intern will perform a variety of tasks for the Section, while providing necessary support.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Education Officer (Mentor), the Programme Intern will support the implementation of inclusive education activities and contribute to the work of the Education Section. Specific anticipated responsibilities include:

Contribute to the collection, compilation, organization, and analysis of data and information related to inclusive education.
Conduct desk reviews, including best international practices, on topics related to inclusive education and disability inclusion, for example:
- Brief review of international regulatory and methodological frameworks for assistive technologies in education.
Support in planning, implementation, and monitoring of inclusive education interventions and related activities, for example:
- Tracking assistive technology distribution in the education sector, mapping related challenges and lessons learned,
- Support with preparation/review of event agendas, presentations, minutes or briefing notes, reports.
Participate in programme-related meetings and events, contributing ideas and recommendations to strengthen ongoing activities and initiatives, and, on a case-by-case basis, assume organizational responsibilities.
Assist in maintaining programme records and online filing systems in accordance with UNICEF procedures.
Undertake other tasks related to the Education Section's work as assigned by the supervisor.

Expected learning opportunities:

Gain practical experience in the design and implementation of inclusive education programmes in a UN Agency.
Develop knowledge of UNICEF programming approaches, partnership coordination, and results-based management.
Strengthen analytical, research, reporting, and communication skills.
Enhance understanding of disability-inclusive programming and inclusive education sector policies in Moldova.
Gain exposure to working in an international environment, and to collaboration with government institutions and implementing partners (civil society organizations) in the education sector.

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

Eligibility requirements

Completion of secondary education.
Be enrolled in an undergraduate or higher degree programme or have graduated within the past two years.
National or resident of Republic of Moldova.

Minimum qualifications / skills

Good research capabilities, including in compiling and presenting the research outputs.
Good oral, written, and communication skills.
Languages: Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Russian or other language relevant for Moldova is considered an asset.
Basic computer skills – operating MS Office programs, archiving computer files, word processing, using spreadsheets and databases.

Desired qualifications:

Enrollment in academic studies related to education, disability inclusion, social policy, psychology;
Experience supporting research, surveys, data collection, or reporting activities;
Volunteer or internship experience with educational institutions, NGOs, community initiatives, or organizations supporting children and vulnerable groups;
Familiarity with the education sector context in Moldova.

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:

Builds and maintains partnerships
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
Drive to achieve results for impact
Innovates and embraces change
Manages ambiguity and complexity
Thinks and acts strategically
Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Who can apply?

This internship position seeks to target youth and to offer opportunities to benefit from a professional experience with an UN agency. Under-represented groups, primarily members of the Roma community are encouraged to apply.

Application process and conditions

Interested candidates should submit through this platform the following package of documents:

CV.
Letter of motivation.
Grades transcript or 1- 2 recommendation letters (from supervisor, teacher, colleagues, or any other person who can describe your competencies) if grades not available.
Proof of medical insurance covering the duration of internship.
Information on the additional / special needs, such as reasonable accommodation at the workplace, transportation, food or any other specific needs.

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 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 candidates from the Roma community are encouraged to apply.

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.

Programme Intern (Education), Chisinau, Moldova (for nationals/residents only)