Job no: 584887
Contract type: Internship
Duty Station: New York
Level: Internship
Location: United States, Hungary, Kenya
Categories: Audit and Investigation
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, a brighter future
OIAI is advertising for three different internships that will support the three different teams within the Investigations Section. In your cover letter, please specify to which of the three internship(s) you are applying.
Modality: In-person (New York) preferred and remote considered for Internships 2 or 3; in person (NY, Budapest or Nairobi) or remote for Internship 1
Tentative start date: As soon as possible
Duration: 6 months/Paid
How can you make a difference?
Internship 1: Investigations Team (2 positions)
In person in NY, Budapest, or Nairobi or remote
Under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Investigation Team (NY or Budapest/Nairobi) and direct supervision of an Investigation Manager, you will undertake the following tasks:
* Assist with the analysis of information and data related to initial assessments and/or investigations;
* Research UNICEF systems and sources of information, as well as open-source material in support of case assessments and investigations;
* Contribute to the production of case assessments, notes for the record, investigation, advisory and other official, evidence-based reports and memoranda;
* Assist with the review of investigations conducted by third-party implementing partners, including civil society organizations into matters within OIAl’s jurisdiction;
* Assist with the intake and triage of incoming sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and child safeguarding (CSG) reports, including those implicating personnel of UNICEF partners in particular, identifying urgent actions such as referrals for victim assistance or to other UN entities;
* Assist with registering and updating SEA/CSG reports in internal case management systems and the Secretary-General’s UN System-wide SEA Reporting Mechanism, ensuring accuracy and data integrity:
* Analyze case data to identify trends and prepare statistical and qualitative reports for internal and external stakeholders;
* Assist with the identification, collection, review, presentation and assembly of evidence, including participating in investigative interviews, drafting interview synopses, compiling and submitting official requests for information and reviewing interview transcripts;
* Contribute to periodic and ad hoc reporting on team activities and investigation progress;
* Undertake training in the use of UNICEF systems and sources of information.
* Carrying out other tasks as may be assigned by OIAI management.
Internship 2: Fraud Investigations Team (1 position)
In person in NY strongly preferred but remote will be considered
Under the overall guidance of the head of the Fraud Investigation Team and direct supervision of an Investigation Manager, you will undertake the following tasks:
* Assist with the analysis of information and data related to initial assessments and/or investigations;
* Research UNICEF systems and sources of information, as well as open-source material in support of case assessments and investigations;
* Contribute to the production of case assessments, notes for the record, investigation, advisory and other official, evidence-based reports and memoranda;
* Assist with the review of investigations conducted by third-party implementing partners, including civil society organizations into reports of fraud and corruption;
* Assist with the identification, collection, review, presentation and assembly of evidence, including participating in investigative interviews, drafting interview synopses, compiling and submitting official requests for information and reviewing interview transcripts;
* Maintain the team case tracker and contribute to periodic and ad hoc reporting on team activities and investigation progress;
* Undertake training in the use of UNICEF systems and sources of information.
* Carrying out other tasks as may be assigned by OIAI management.
Internship 3: Strategy, Intake and Analysis Unit (SIA) (1 position)
In person in NY preferred but remote will be considered
Under the overall guidance of the Chief, Investigations (SIA) and direct supervision of an Investigation Manager, you will undertake the following tasks:
* Review incoming reports and assist with gathering additional information to conduct initial assessments, including by conducting open-source searches; analyze available information and evidence and prepare recommendations for case resolution, including whether or not matters should be predicated for investigation.
* Draft reports (including closure notes and referral memoranda) and compile supporting documentation.
* Assist with intake of new matters received on OIAI hotline by drafting responses to incoming reports, initiating cases in case management system (CMS) and preparing and organizing case files for new matters.
* Assist with the collection and assembly of evidence, including by participating in witness interviews and reviewing and analyzing interview transcripts.
* Assist with the preparation of statistical and other reports compiling and analyzing case-related data, for internal and external stakeholders.
* Upon request, assist with other tasks undertaken by SIA, including legal research, policy review and development, and preparation of donor reports and related communications.
* Carrying out other tasks as may be assigned by OIAI management.
Terms of Reference: Vacancy Announcement – OIAI Investigations Interns Oct 2025.docx
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
* Graduated within the past two years or be currently enrolled in a university or an Advanced Degree Program.
* 0-2 years of relevant experience in legal activities and/or investigation-related functions.
* Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is a strong advantage. Knowledge of another language, such as Chinese, Russian, Pashto or Bangla, is considered an asset.
* Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive case-related information.
* Excellent knowledge of MS Office and relevant computer systems and applications.
* Excellent communication, writing and interpersonal skills.
* Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
* Ability to work effectively on multiple assignments simultaneously and adapt to the changing requirements.
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.
Insurance: UNICEF will not be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the intern’s service, whether on or off UNICEF premises. Therefore, the selected candidate must provide proof of enrolment in a health/accident plan prior to starting the internship.
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.
UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.
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.
Advertised: 10 Oct 2025 Eastern Daylight Time
Deadline: 19 Oct 2025 Eastern Daylight Time
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