Artificial Intelligence Internship - ICTD Digital Core - Valencia, Spain - On-site - (EU Nationals/Residents Only)

UNICEF is looking for an intern to support the AI Team within the Information and Communication Technology Division. The intern will work closely with the AI Strategy and Data Science teams to support documentation, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and internal communications related to AI governance and data strategy. They will also support documentation, visualization, and communication of insights to various stakeholders.

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.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a digital future

The overarching strategic goal of UNICEF’s Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD) is to transform and build partnerships with our stakeholders to successfully implement UNICEF programs globally through innovative technology-enabled solutions. 

UNICEF is committed to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for advancing children’s rights globally, ensuring innovations are inclusive, equitable, ethical, and aligned with our core values. As AI tools, platforms, and partnerships proliferate, there is a growing need for strategic leadership to map the AI ecosystem, align partnership opportunities with field demands, and ensure that UNICEF harnesses these technologies responsibly and impactfully. 

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF is looking for an intern to support the AI Team within the Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD). The Intern will have the opportunity to learn about UNICEF’s mission, its various programs, and how it operates globally, while being exposed to working in an international environment, and gaining hands-on experience in applying data science and AI techniques to real-world challenges in a global humanitarian context. 

The intern will work closely with the AI Strategy and Data Science teams to support documentation, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and internal communications related to AI governance and data strategy. They will also support documentation, visualization, and communication of insights to various stakeholders. 

The intern will be responsible for assisting in AI events such as workshops and training and literacy programmes. 

This will involve: 

• Support the coordination of strategic initiatives related to AI governance, risk management, and ethical AI.
• Assist in preparing briefing notes, presentations, and internal reports for senior leadership and working groups.
• Help organize and document meetings, workshops, and roundtables focused on AI and data strategy.
• Conduct literature reviews and benchmarking of AI tools relevant to UNICEF’s work.
• Help document processes, methodologies, and findings for internal knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of internal knowledge platforms (e.g., SharePoint) for AI and data science resources.
• Support stakeholder mapping and engagement efforts across UNICEF divisions and country offices.
• Assist in synthesizing research and policy documents related to AI ethics, data governance, and digital public goods.
• Provide ad hoc support to the Chief AI and Global AI Hub team on strategic planning and coordination tasks.
• Other support activities, to be determined

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

Minimum requirements:

• Current (graduated in the last 2 years) or recent enrollment in a university programme in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, or related field.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural team environment.
• Ability to work 40 hrs/week in Valencia, Spain.
• Fluency in English is required
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information.
• Strong knowledge of AI and data science concepts, especially in policy or governance contexts.
• Excellent communication skills – able to present technical concepts clearly.
• Strong attention to detail, planning, and organizational skills.
• Experience with productivity tools (e.g., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Copilot,).
• Interest in ethical technology, digital transformation, and humanitarian innovation.

Desirables:

• Spanish is an asset.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP) is a plus. 

Contract Duration and Terms:

• The duration of this internship is 6 months. Individuals must fund their travel and living expenses in Valencia. 
• Individuals must have proof of medical insurance covering their time at the duty station.
• Individuals are personally responsible for obtaining any required visa or residence permit, covering the entire period of their internship. 
• Internships are paid a monthly net stipend of EUR 800.00 per month for full-time arrangements (40hrs/week) onsite in Valencia, which will be prorated according to attendance. Work arrangements are based on the effective regulations of the duty station, organizational needs and schedules of the interns. Please note that for remote internships the stipend might be different depending on the actual location.  
• Interns may take up to 2.5 days per month off work for any reason, including for medical reasons. The stipend will be reduced for any absence beyond this quota. 

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.

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.  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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.