Introduction
The Child Rights Advocacy and Education Unit, UNICEF Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP) in Geneva, supports UNICEF National Committees in industrialised countries to engage in advocacy with their governments to promotes child rights and prioritize the wellbeing of disadvantaged children in their development and domestic policies.
The section is currently leading a project to assess the impact of the global financial and economic crisis on children’s poverty and wellbeing in industrialised countries and in Europe in particular. The volunteer will assist the section in developing country profiles on the impact of the economic crisis in National Committee countries, and on the austerity measures being taken by their governments.
Background
A number of countries, notably in Europe, are planning to step up austerity measures in order to tackle the debt crisis. This is exacerbating existing poverty rates and has had a pronounced impact on children and young people. The countries with the biggest fiscal adjustment measures are represented in Europe e.g. Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain. This is not going to be a short term trend: investments in children across the industrialized countries will be constrained for the next 4 to 5 years.
UNICEF National Committees urgently need specific evidence regarding the impact of these austerity measures, in order to support a call to protect spending on children. The added value that National Committees can bring to domestic advocacy has been to bring an international perspective to national debates and to provide comparative data and examples of policy responses from across industrialized countries.
Using desk research and working in coordination with National Committee advocacy staff, the Volunteer UNICEF will develop detailed country profiles analyzing: how countries are measuring child poverty; which countries are making cuts and in which sectors; what measures are being taken to protect the most vulnerable; and which policies have been most effective or most detrimental.
Tasks
The volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the Child Rights Advocacy Specialist, PFP, Geneva and will undertake the following:
Conduct desk research and compile existing evidence on the impact of the economic crisis in countries with National Committee presence
Consult with National Committees to document information on the policies in place and austerity measures being taken by their governments in response to the crisis
Cooperate with colleagues in the Brussels Office and CEE/CIS
Compile information in a systematic format based on a questionnaire that has been developed and piloted
Upload the completed profiles on a Wiki database that has been established for this project
Conduct desk research and compile existing evidence on the impact of the economic crisis in countries with National Committee presence
Consult with National Committees to document information on the policies in place and austerity measures being taken by their governments in response to the crisis
Cooperate with colleagues in the Brussels Office and CEE/CIS
Compile information in a systematic format based on a questionnaire that has been developed and piloted
Upload the completed profiles on a Wiki database that has been established for this project
Duration
The duration of the volunteer position will be of 6 months with possibility of extension. Start date end January 2013
Qualifications
The volunteer should have:
Education background in Social and Economic Policy, Poverty and Development; Human Rights/Child Rights studies or a related technical field at Master’s Degree level
Research experience
Good writing skills
Strong interest in child poverty; social policy in industrialized countries; child rights and an understanding of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Analytical and conceptual thinking
Ability to work independently and within a set time frame
Fluency in English, knowledge of French or Spanish an asset
Education background in Social and Economic Policy, Poverty and Development; Human Rights/Child Rights studies or a related technical field at Master’s Degree level
Research experience
Good writing skills
Strong interest in child poverty; social policy in industrialized countries; child rights and an understanding of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Analytical and conceptual thinking
Ability to work independently and within a set time frame
Fluency in English, knowledge of French or Spanish an asset
Remuneration
No stipend or remuneration will be paid by UNICEF for a volunteership. Transportation, lodging, and all expenses for the volunteership are the responsibility of the student.
The volunteer/intern will be based in the UNICEF office in Geneva.
How to apply:
To apply for this opportunity please send your CV and cover letter to Elke Holderbeke: eholderbeke@unicef.org
Volunteers : Child Rights Advocacy and Education Unit
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