UNFPA’s East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) is seeking an intern – Climate Change and Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Stipend Available

Local Intern: Climate Change & Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights

Duty Station: Johannesburg, South Africa
Type of Post: Intern
Application Deadline: May 19, 2025

Position Overview:

UNFPA’s East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) is seeking an intern to support the Climate Change and Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) team. This internship provides a unique opportunity to engage in advocacy, research, and event organization focused on the intersections of climate change, gender equality, and SRHR.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Climate Change and Innovation, the intern will contribute to key projects and initiatives within the Evidence, Knowledge, and Innovation (EKI) team.

Work Location & Duration:

• Location: UNFPA ESARO, Sunninghill Place, Johannesburg, South Africa (Remote or In-Person)
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Full-time

About UNFPA:

UNFPA is the leading UN agency dedicated to reproductive health and rights. Its mission is to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the transformative results of ending preventable maternal deaths, meeting family planning needs, and eliminating gender-based violence.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Climate Change Advocacy & Policy Engagement:
  • Support UNFPA’s role in climate change advocacy and policy engagement related to SRHR and gender.
  • Assist in organizing key events (virtual, hybrid, or in-person) focused on climate change and SRHR.
  • Contribute to knowledge management for UNFPA’s climate projects.
  • Disseminate UNFPA messaging on climate change and SRHR through communications channels, including social media, press releases, and newsletters.
  • Help develop proposals for climate finance to support adaptation and resilience actions.
• Knowledge Generation & Capacity-Building:
  • Assist with research on the impacts of climate change on gender equality and SRHR in East and Southern Africa.
  • Contribute to the creation of knowledge products such as country fact sheets and advocacy tools like the NDC SRHR Dashboard Tracker.
  • Support the development of training materials and help organize capacity-building workshops for government and non-government stakeholders on SRHR, gender, and climate change.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Educational Requirements:
   • Must be enrolled in a postgraduate program in a relevant field (e.g., international development, public health, women’s/gender studies, population and development) or have recently graduated with such a degree.
2. Other Requirements:
   • Demonstrated interest in development work, particularly in climate change, gender, and SRHR.
   • Proficiency in English (both written and spoken). Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
   • Ability to adapt to new environments and work with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Desired Experience:

• Previous experience with development agencies or volunteer work.
• Strong analytical, writing, and research skills.
• Initiative and sound judgment, with the ability to work harmoniously in a multicultural setting.

Learning Opportunities:

• Gain a deeper understanding of UNFPA’s mandate, policies, and program design.
• Learn about UNFPA’s governance structure and regional setup.
• Develop skills in creating substantive documents, conducting research, and formulating advocacy strategies.
• Experience working in a multicultural team and network with UN professionals.
• Gain insights into the dynamics of program delivery and operational support in a global organization.

Financial Aspects:

• This is an unpaid internship. Interns will not receive a salary from UNFPA, but a stipend will be provided to cover daily expenses if not financially supported by an external institution.
• Applicants must have medical insurance for the internship duration. Proof of insurance is required before the internship begins.

How to Apply:

Candidates interested in applying should submit their applications, which must include:

• A CV (preferably in Europass format).
• A Motivation Letter (max. 300 words), explaining why the internship is a good fit.
• A Concept Note (max. 2 pages) outlining a key challenge in climate change and SRHR that the applicant wishes to address and proposed steps for tackling it.

Application Deadline: May 19, 2025

APPLY HERE

Additional Information:

• Interns are expected to be proactive, adaptable, and engaged in the global discussion surrounding climate change and reproductive health.
• Applicants from diverse backgrounds, including non-males, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNFPA is committed to promoting gender equality and creating an inclusive environment that supports all individuals in their personal and professional growth.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.