UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, opportunity

The Office of Innovation (OOI) is a creative, interactive, and agile team in UNICEF. We sit at a unique intersection, where an organization that works on huge global issues meets the start-up thinking, the technology, and the partners that turn this energy into scalable solutions.

The Global Learning Innovation Hub within OOI has been established in Helsinki with the mission to radically transform education around the world by making it a wonderful adventure for every child. The Hub contributes to UNICEF’s Digital Education Strategy and has the bold ambition to become a global “home for the architects of the future of learning” and help solve the learning crisis as well as imagine and develop alternative learning futures for all children

The EdTech for Good Framework, developed by the UNICEF Global Learning Innovation Hub in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, ARM, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and a network of transdisciplinary partners, provides a global standard for evaluating and curating safe, impactful, and scalable education technology (EdTech) tools. It prioritizes evidence, data security, and adaptability—advocating for an EdTech ecosystem where innovation enhances learning and meets the diverse needs of all learners.

Putting this framework into action, the Learning Cabinet—a global curation platform for safe, equitable, and scalable EdTech innovations; was beta-launched in November 2024. The platform connects education decision-makers, innovators, and partners to verified digital learning solutions aligned with UNICEF’s Digital Education Strategy and the EdTech for Good Framework.

Building on this foundation, the Blue Unicorn Portfolio identifies, supports, and accelerates proven EdTech solutions listed in the Learning Cabinet that demonstrate clear evidence of improving learning outcomes. Through strategic investment, acceleration support, and multi-country implementation opportunities, the portfolio strengthens UNICEF’s mission to deliver safe, inclusive, and high-impact digital learning solutions through governments, UNICEF Country Offices, and global and local partners; ensuring both scalability and sustainability.

Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical skills with an interest in education innovation, digital learning systems, and the intersection of technology, policy, and equity. This internship offers the opportunity to engage with a global network of researchers, educators, innovators and partners while gaining hands-on experience in managing research and innovations processes, data synthesis, and strategic communications within an international development context.

Main responsibilities include:

After a comprehensive onboarding, candidates will be expected to perform support functions across the following thematic areas:

• Research and analysis: including desktop research around education technology frameworks, deep-diving in agreed areas of work around edtech for good, digital learning, edtech acceleration and implementation models; as well as dedicated support in research coordination and implementation in countries where EdTech for Good is active.
• Internal Support: including targeted support to Project Managers around a variety of topics on digital education, edtech acceleration and edtech modeling, edtech sustainability, among others (i.e: development of Briefing Notes and presentations for senior management and key external events and stakeholders)
• Communications: Coordinate with LIH Hub Communications to align core messaging and deliver timely social media and external outreach when launching new products, events and reports.
• Team Overall Support: Given the diverse range of projects within the LIH Hub, the intern may be called upon to assist with various tasks related to digital education, education technology, system strengthening, teacher empowerment, among others, either directly or indirectly, as needed.

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

Essential: 

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within two years from date of graduation) with a degree in Education, Public Policy, International Development, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Previous work experience, including internships, in the education sector or digital education field would be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated interest in digital learning, education systems, or technology-enabled learning.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural, multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Experience using digital collaboration tools (e.g., Excel, Google Workspace, Miro, or Notion).
• Excellent writing and communication abilities in English.
• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in French, Spanish or Arabic is desirable. 

 WORK ARRANGEMENT:

The duty station is UNICEF’s Global Learning Innovation Hub’s offices in Helsinki, Finland. 

Please note that Global Learning Innovation Hub cannot sponsor visas for candidates who do not already have the right to work in Finland. To be considered for this internship, applicants must meet the following requirements. 

Conditions:

• Age: Interns must be at least 18 years
• Have good academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records.

• Have no immediate relatives (e.g. father, mother, brother, sister) working in any UNICEF office.
• Have no other relatives in the line of authority which the intern will report to.
• Individuals must have proof of medical insurance covering the time and location of their internship.
• This internship will be delivered on a full-time commitment. 
• Individuals are expected to provide their own laptop. 
• Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend (unless already in receipt of any support for the internship from a third party). 
• Individuals must fund their own travel and living expenses. 
• Individuals are responsible for arranging any visa or immigration requirements.

Employment: There is no expectancy of employment at the end of the internship.

Please see attached Terms of Reference (TOR)  EdTech for Good Internship TOR.pdf

How to apply:

Interested applicant is required to submit an application via the online portal, and attach a CV and Cover Letter.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:  

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Contact: For any queries, please contact: swe-ooi-recruitments@unicef.org