Sport for development Strategy and Implementation Planning, Director's Office, Programme Group, 4 weeks (Full time / Remote)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children—saving lives, defending rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for all, and we never give up.

For every child, Hope

UNICEF’s Programme Group leads the organization’s global efforts to achieve results for the most disadvantaged and excluded children everywhere, in line with the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022–2025. Its work is guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the international commitments related to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Programme Group provides global thought leadership, influences policies and partnerships to advance child rights, and offers technical support to UNICEF’s Regional and Country Offices to maximize the impact of programmes in children’s lives. The division shapes internal policy and practice in priority areas, supports UNICEF’s engagement in key programme partnerships, and collaborates with other divisions on fundraising, advocacy, and strategic influence.

It also plays a vital role in managing technical talent and promoting a management approach that strengthens connections between Headquarters, Regional, and Country Offices. The Director, Programme Group, provides strategic guidance for UNICEF’s programmes and can commit the organization to programme strategies aligned with the Strategic Plan, SDGs, and universal child rights principles.

An internship with UNICEF is the perfect way to kick-start your career in international development and humanitarian work. This opportunity allows you to apply theoretical knowledge from your studies in a practical setting, gain firsthand experience of daily working life, and contribute to meaningful, real-world outcomes for children.

 

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF’s work in sports for development is rooted in our mission to ensure every child’s right to play in a safe environment, as articulated in Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Regular physical activity promotes physical, social, and mental well-being, and helps prevent non-communicable diseases. However, access to sports is often constrained by socioeconomic factors, gender, education, and ability.

UNICEF views sports as a powerful tool to enhance physical and mental health, build confidence, foster independence, and promote social inclusion for vulnerable groups. We are committed to increasing participation, enhancing well-being, and ensuring inclusive access to sports opportunities for all children.

A recent scoping review consolidated UNICEF’s sports-related programmes over the past five years, identifying six key recommendations for future action. These emphasize the importance of flexibility, community-level programming, addressing the needs of refugees and displaced children, and leveraging emerging mechanisms such as e-sports.

To advance these priorities and revitalize UNICEF’s support for sports programming, the Programme Group seeks dedicated support to transform these recommendations into actionable strategies.

As an Intern with the Programme Group, you will provide vital research and analytical support, helping translate strategic recommendations into a concrete, executable plan of action. You will focus on ensuring that discussions and initiatives are scalable, sustainable, and effectively targeted, particularly in complex urban environments.

This internship offers an exceptional opportunity to gain insight into UNICEF’s programme design, policy influence, and global coordination work, while contributing directly to initiatives that enable every child to thrive through play and sport.

1. Reviewing the sport for development deliverables:
   1. Review and synthesize key deliverables, outcomes, and progress reports from existing UNICEF Sport for Development (S4D) programmes.
   2. Assess programme results and alignment with the six key recommendations.
2. Developing a plan of action and stakeholder mapping:
   1. Draft a preliminary plan outlining steps, timelines, and resources to implement the recommendations.
   2. Map internal and external stakeholders within the sports ecosystem to identify key partners and champions.
3. Researching how effective sports programmes can be applied in urban settings and scaled:
   1. Analyze how S4D models can be adapted and scaled in urban or disadvantaged contexts.