UNICEF is offering an exciting opportunity for young graduates and students through its Youth Development Intern – Gulf Area Office programme based in Qatar. This prestigious three-month internship is designed for passionate young people who want to contribute to youth empowerment, peacebuilding, adolescent development, and social impact initiatives while gaining hands-on experience with one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations.

The internship provides successful candidates with exposure to international development work, partnerships with government institutions, youth-focused programming, and policy discussions that shape the future of children and adolescents across the Gulf region.

For individuals interested in development work, youth engagement, social policy, education, and international cooperation, this internship offers an exceptional platform to gain practical experience while contributing to meaningful change.

About UNICEF

UNICEF operates in more than 190 countries and territories worldwide, working to protect children’s rights, improve access to education and healthcare, strengthen child protection systems, and support vulnerable communities.

The organization works across various sectors including:

Education
Child protection
Youth empowerment
Health and nutrition
Emergency response
Social policy
Adolescent development
Data and research

UNICEF’s mission focuses on ensuring every child has access to safety, dignity, opportunity, and a better future.

Background of UNICEF’s Gulf Area Office in Qatar

In 2018, UNICEF signed a Basic Cooperation Agreement (BCA) with the State of Qatar, leading to the establishment of the UNICEF Qatar Office in 2019. Since then, the office has expanded rapidly and strengthened collaboration with national institutions and regional stakeholders.

The Qatar Office is part of UNICEF’s broader Gulf Area subregional programme, which includes:

Bahrain
Kuwait
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Qatar

The Gulf Area Office focuses on several strategic priorities, including:

Early childhood development
Child protection
Youth participation and empowerment
Evidence and data systems for children
Strengthening partnerships for child welfare

This internship gives participants direct exposure to these regional initiatives.

Overview of the UNICEF Youth Development Internship

The internship programme was created to help undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students gain practical experience in professional environments aligned with their academic training.

Interns will work under the supervision of the Youth and Adolescent Development Manager and support UNICEF’s youth-related programmes and partnerships in Qatar.

Internship Duration

Three months

Internship Location

Qatar

Department

Gulf Area Office
Youth and Adolescent Development Programme

Key Responsibilities of the Intern

Selected interns will support several important projects and initiatives related to youth development and peacebuilding.

1. Support Youth Participation and Engagement Activities

Interns will assist in programmes that encourage:

Youth leadership
Civic participation
Community engagement
Adolescent empowerment
Youth inclusion initiatives

This role allows interns to contribute to activities that amplify youth voices and participation in national development.

2. Assist Youth Skills Development Programmes

The intern will contribute to initiatives that support:

Skills training
Career readiness
Transition-to-employment pathways
Youth empowerment projects
Capacity-building activities

This area focuses on helping young people develop employable skills and improve economic opportunities.

3. Contribute to the Arab Forum on Youth, Peace and Security

One of the internship’s major highlights is supporting preparatory activities for the Arab Forum on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS).

Responsibilities may include:

Research support
Coordination activities
Background documentation
Stakeholder communication
Event preparation

This provides valuable exposure to regional peacebuilding and policy discussions.

4. Coordinate With Government and Local Partners

Interns will work closely with:

Ministry of Sports and Youth
Local organizations
UN agencies
Youth-focused partners

Tasks include:

Following up on programme activities
Supporting partnership coordination
Monitoring implementation progress
Assisting communication among stakeholders

5. Develop Terms of Reference (TORs)

Interns may support the preparation and monitoring of:

Project TORs
Youth initiative documentation
Consultation materials
Programme planning documents

This helps participants gain practical experience in programme management and development-sector operations.

6. Participate in Meetings and Documentation

Interns will attend and document meetings involving:

UNICEF programme teams
Government ministries
UN agencies
Youth organizations

Responsibilities include:

Recording proceedings
Preparing summaries
Tracking action points
Supporting programme coordination

7. Support Monitoring and Reporting

Interns will contribute to:

Programme tracking
Monitoring implementation progress
Drafting reports
Preparing updates
Supporting evaluation activities

This offers experience in results-based programme management and reporting.

Benefits of the UNICEF Internship

This internship offers several important professional and personal development benefits.

Practical International Development Experience

Interns gain first-hand experience working with a globally respected humanitarian organization.

Professional Networking Opportunities

Participants interact with:

UNICEF professionals
Government stakeholders
Youth leaders
International development experts
UN agency representatives

Skills Development

Interns strengthen skills in:

Communication
Research
Project coordination
Partnership management
Reporting and documentation
Policy engagement

Exposure to Regional Youth Programmes

Interns learn about major Gulf-region initiatives related to:

Youth peace and security
Child protection
Education
Social development

Career Advancement Opportunities

Experience with UNICEF can significantly strengthen future applications for:

International organizations
NGOs
Government programmes
Fellowships
Graduate opportunities

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria.

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must:

Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD programme

Have graduated within the past two years

Accepted fields include:

Education
Economics
Social Sciences
Related disciplines

Age Requirement

Applicants must be:

At least 18 years old

Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

Good written English
Good spoken English
Good written Arabic
Good spoken Arabic

Bilingual communication skills are essential for this role.

Knowledge and Experience

Candidates should have:

Familiarity with youth and adolescent programmes
Interest in youth development
Understanding of social development issues
Strong communication and coordination abilities

Nationality Requirement

Applicants must be:

Qatari nationals

This internship opportunity is specifically reserved for citizens of Qatar.

UNICEF Core Values and Competencies

UNICEF expects interns to demonstrate its CRITAS values:

Care
Respect
Integrity
Trust
Accountability
Sustainability

The organization also seeks candidates who can:

Build partnerships
Think strategically
Work collaboratively
Innovate and adapt
Deliver results
Demonstrate ethical awareness

UNICEF’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

UNICEF promotes equal opportunity and welcomes applications from individuals regardless of:

Gender
Ethnicity
Religion
Disability status
Socio-economic background
Sexual orientation

The organization also provides reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Important Recruitment Information

Applicants should note the following:

UNICEF does not charge any application fee
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Background checks will be conducted
Academic credentials may be verified
Medical clearance may be required
Vaccination requirements may apply

Applicants are advised to apply only through official UNICEF recruitment platforms.

Deadline for Application

The official deadline was not stated in the provided announcement. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible before the position closes.

Click here for more and to apply.

Why You Should Apply for This UNICEF Internship

This internship is more than a temporary placement. It is an opportunity to:

Work with a globally recognized UN organization
Gain exposure to international development work
Build professional experience in youth programming
Develop leadership and policy engagement skills
Contribute to meaningful social impact initiatives

For young Qatari students and graduates passionate about youth development, peacebuilding, and international cooperation, this programme offers an excellent pathway into the development sector.

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Youth Development Intern @UNICEF