UNICEF is looking for an UPSHIFT Scale Intern to support the Digital and AI work of UPSHIFT, its flagship programme for transferable skills and social entrepreneurship. The internship sits within GPD/Office of Innovation, has its duty station in Stockholm, Sweden, runs for 6 months (full time) and is remote. Students enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D. programme, or graduates from the past two years, can apply until 20 October 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy, and every detail is set out below.
Vacancy Details at a Glance
🔢 Job no: 596280
📃 Contract type: Internship
🏷️ Level: Internship
📍 Duty Station: Stockholm
🇸🇪 Location: Sweden
💡 Categories: Innovation
⏱️ Duration: 6 months (full time)
🏠 Work arrangement: Remote
About UNICEF
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.
UNICEF describes its people as committed, passionate, and proud of what they do for as long as they are needed. In its own words, promoting the rights of every child is not just a job: it is a calling.
UNICEF presents itself as a place where careers are built: it offers its staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. It welcomes everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
The vacancy carries the line "for every child, the right to innovate".
What Is UPSHIFT?
UPSHIFT is UNICEF's flagship programme for transferable skills and social entrepreneurship. Drawing on best practices from non-formal education, experiential learning and business education, it creates a comprehensive learning journey made up of:
🛠️ Workshops
👥 Mentorship
🚀 Entrepreneurial challenges
The programme is deeply rooted in Human Centered Design (HCD) principles and empowers young people to identify and analyze problems within their communities and develop products or services to address them.
UPSHIFT in Numbers
📅 Launched in 2014
🗺️ Expanded to 59 countries
🎓 7 million young people graduated
⌛ Over 200 million hours of learning completed
🎒 Over 2 million secondary school students graduated through UPSHIFT Powered by Unisolve
How UPSHIFT Is Scaling Through Digital and AI
To achieve sustainable scale, the programme focuses on integrating into formal education systems and using digital platforms for blended learning delivery.
🧩 UPSHIFT Powered by Unisolve: the primary blended delivery model, built from the ground up to support UPSHIFT delivery in schools
📚 Google Classroom: to accelerate the scaling of this digital model, the UPSHIFT Global team has ported the Unisolve-based learning journey to Google Classroom, providing a faster, cost-effective platform
🤖 AI integration: the team has started to integrate AI into the adaptation, deployment and running of the programme, including the development of teacher-focused tools to access and use the learning journey at a much lower cost
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The vacancy asks: how can you make a difference? These are the seven areas of work for the UPSHIFT Scale Intern:
📊 Portfolio Tracking & Coordination: support the tracking of UPSHIFT Digital and AI initiatives, countries, platforms, milestones, actions and dependencies, ensuring that key information is regularly updated and follow-ups are maintained
🗄️ Digital & AI Asset Management: maintain and organise the inventory of UPSHIFT digital platforms, AI tools, content, workflows and other technology assets, ensuring they are documented and easily accessible for reuse across countries
🔭 Research & Innovation Scanning: conduct targeted research on emerging AI, digital learning and technology solutions relevant to UPSHIFT, synthesising findings and identifying potential opportunities for application and scale
🧪 Solution Testing & Implementation Support: support the testing, documentation and refinement of digital and AI solutions, and assist with country-level preparation, implementation tracking and coordination for pilots and rollouts
🗂️ Knowledge Management & Communications: organise key documents, meeting notes, learnings and project information, and support the preparation of presentations, briefing notes, dashboards and other materials for internal and external stakeholders
📦 Support to the UPSHIFT transition: consolidate the digital portfolio, country activities, existing assets, implementation documentation and outstanding commitments into a structured handover package for the Education team
⚙️ Process Improvement & Automation: identify repetitive and time-consuming activities and explore opportunities to streamline, automate or improve workflows using digital and AI tools, while supporting priority projects and emerging strategic initiatives
Expected Deliverables
🗓️ Monthly portfolio update covering key activities, progress, risks, upcoming milestones and actions
📈 Updated Digital & AI portfolio tracker covering countries, initiatives, platforms, pilots and assets
💾 Updated digital and AI asset repository/database
📋 Meeting/action trackers maintained for key workstreams
🔍 Monthly research/innovation scan highlighting relevant tools, trends and potential UPSHIFT applications
The complete Job Description (TOR) for this position is available as a PDF in the Links section below.
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Who Can Apply? Education Requirements
The candidate shall be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D. degree programme, or have graduated within the past two years, in at least one of the following areas or in a relevant field:
💻 Digital Technology
🏫 Education Technology
📉 Data Science / Analytics
💼 Business Management
🎨 Innovation & Design
🌱 Development Studies
🤝 International Relations
📣 Communications
🧠 AI application Knowledge
Experience and Skills Required
The candidate should have:
📑 Strong experience with Microsoft Office/Google Workspace, particularly Excel/Sheets and PowerPoint/Slides
🗃️ Experience organising and managing information, trackers or databases
🖥️ Experience preparing presentations, summaries and briefing materials
⏰ Strong organizational and time-management skills
🤲 Commitment to the UNICEF core values of care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability and sustainability
Skills That Are an Asset
🛰️ Familiarity with digital learning, AI tools or emerging technologies is an asset
🌏 Experience working with international teams or multicultural environments is an asset
🦾 Experience using AI tools for research, productivity, content development or workflow automation is an asset
📐 Basic data analysis and visualization skills are desirable
Language Requirements
🗣️ Fluency in written and spoken English is required
🔤 Proficiency in any other UN language is considered an asset: French, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese
UNICEF Core Values and Competencies
UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything UNICEF does and how it does it. Candidates are invited to get acquainted with the Values Charter and to familiarize themselves with the UNICEF competency framework and its different levels. Both documents are linked in the Links section below.
Diversity, Inclusion and Accommodation
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged. Its global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of 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
🍼 UNICEF offers a wide range of benefits to its 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, submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage (linked below)
📞 Should you be shortlisted, get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, so the necessary arrangements can be made in advance
Safeguarding and Background Checks
🛡️ 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, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of misconduct
🔐 UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children: all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks
🧾 These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable
✅ Appointment, selection and continued engagement are subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks; selected candidates may be required to provide additional information and consent to enable UNICEF to undertake these checks
📁 Selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially
Medical Clearance, Vaccination and Visa Conditions
🩺 UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance
🧬 Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates' willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel
⚠️ Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service
🛂 Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by 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
Internship Conditions: Age, Visa, Insurance and Employment
🎂 Age: interns must be at least 18 years
📨 Visa: UNICEF is not responsible for obtaining any visas for internships; however, UNICEF can provide a Note Verbale to respective Consulates to support the application of visas
🏥 Insurance: the selected candidate must provide proof of health/accident insurance that covers them in the country of the assignment and for the entire duration of the assignment; UNICEF will not be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during on or off UNICEF premises
📌 Employment: there is no expectancy of employment at the end of the internship
If you are comparing different placements, our guide on how paid internships abroad and funded traineeships really work explains the options available to students and recent graduates.
Working Across Time Zones
In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, UNICEF encourages flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.
Recruitment Rules and 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 does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training)
🏦 UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information
🆘 Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan: all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities
📬 All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process
🎯 An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates
Additional information about working for UNICEF, and the job categories it recruits for, is linked in the Links section. Find more placements like this one in the Internship category on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UNICEF UPSHIFT Scale Internship remote?
Yes. The internship is listed as remote, with its duty station in Stockholm, Sweden. It is a full-time placement lasting 6 months.
Who can apply for the UPSHIFT Scale Intern position?
Candidates enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D. degree programme, or who graduated within the past two years, can apply. The degree should be in a field such as Digital Technology, Education Technology, Data Science, Business Management, Innovation & Design, Development Studies, International Relations, Communications or a relevant area.
What will the intern work on?
The intern supports UPSHIFT's Digital and AI portfolio: tracking initiatives and milestones, managing digital and AI assets, scanning new AI and digital learning tools, supporting solution testing and pilots, and preparing a structured handover package for the Education team.
Do I need AI experience?
AI experience is not listed among the required experience. Familiarity with digital learning, AI tools or emerging technologies and experience using AI for research, productivity, content development or workflow automation are listed as assets.
Which languages are required?
Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in another UN language (French, Russian, Arabic, Spanish or Chinese) is considered an asset.
How old do I have to be?
Interns must be at least 18 years old.
Will UNICEF arrange a visa or insurance?
UNICEF is not responsible for obtaining visas for internships, but it can provide a Note Verbale to Consulates to support a visa application. The selected candidate must provide proof of health/accident insurance covering the full assignment.
Does UNICEF charge an application fee?
No. UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection and hiring processes, and it will not ask for applicants' bank account information.
Can the internship lead to a job at UNICEF?
There is no expectancy of employment at the end of the internship.
Deadline
⏳ 20 October 2026 (Central Europe Daylight Time)
Links
📝 Apply now (UNICEF application portal): https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=596280&lJobSourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us
📰 Vacancy page: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/596280
📄 Complete Job Description (TOR_UPSHIFT Intern_Digital & AI.pdf): https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/TransferRichTextFile.ashx?sData=UFUtVjMtUy-u115QeRs-VZWuN7HVWOyzJQXGAscnmI1nt4YqpMQD4B-zuisKjx0oLJjQZWZQe_0P7JntxFvB7vssPa-xEMx9oRfVQH16nTXkozyvM9HdacH19aomV6PyM1Wzetry4hNZHNWGpvmHDvvQ-ypZMQ%7e%7e
🔗 UNICEF website: https://www.unicef.org/
💙 UNICEF core values: https://www.unicef.org/careers/unicef-core-values
📜 UNICEF Values Charter: https://www.unicef.org/careers/get-prepared#Values
🧭 UNICEF competency framework: https://www.unicef.org/careers/media/1041/file/UNICEF%27s_Competency_Framework.pdf
✉️ Accessibility and accommodation requests: https://www.unicef.org/accessibility#contact
ℹ️ Additional information about working for UNICEF: https://www.unicef.org/careers/unicef-job-categories
