Land a High-Impact Remote Job with UNICEF for 2025-2026. This is your ultimate guide to securing a fully remote position with the United Nations Children’s Fund. We detail lucrative opportunities, including Research Assistant roles paying up to $4,000/month and Paid Internships offering approximately $1,700. Discover how you can contribute to global child welfare from anywhere in the world, gain unparalleled international development experience, and build a career with a leading UN agency. Learn about the essential qualifications, application process, and how to make your candidacy stand out for these highly competitive, mission-driven positions.
Background & Job Description
The following information is provided as a service to our audience. Our platform is an independent job aggregation and career advice website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). We compile and present opportunities from publicly available sources to help candidates in their job search.
UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, is a global humanitarian and development agency operating in over 190 countries and territories. Its mandate is to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs, and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF’s work is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, focusing on areas such as child survival and development, education, child protection, and emergency response.
For the 2025-2026 program cycle, UNICEF is expanding its remote workforce to harness global talent and foster a more diverse and inclusive operational model. This initiative opens doors for professionals and students worldwide to contribute to UNICEF’s critical mission without the need to relocate.
Land a High-Impact Remote Job with UNICEF: $4,000/Month Research Roles & Paid Internships for 2025-2026
We are highlighting two distinct, highly sought-after remote opportunities:
- Remote Research Assistant Positions: These are typically contract-based roles designed for professionals with specific research and analytical skills. Successful candidates will work closely with UNICEF’s research, evaluation, and policy teams to generate evidence that informs programs and advocates for children’s rights globally. These positions are compensated competitively, with monthly stipends or salaries that can reach up to $4,000, commensurate with experience and the complexity of the assignment.
- Remote Paid Internships: UNICEF’s internship program provides current students and recent graduates with practical experience in the international development sector. These internships are designed to equip the next generation of leaders with hands-on skills and a deep understanding of UNICEF’s work. These are paid opportunities, with a standard stipend of approximately $1,700 per month to help cover living expenses. Internships are available across various divisions, including communications, program management, human rights, innovation, and more.
Both opportunities offer the unique chance to gain invaluable experience with a premier UN agency, build a powerful professional network, and make a tangible difference in the lives of children everywhere, all from a remote setting.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Please note that the following tasks are generalized based on typical UNICEF role descriptions. Actual responsibilities will vary significantly by department, team, and specific project needs.
For Research Assistant Roles:
- Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and desk research on topics related to child rights, public policy, health, education, and emergency response.
- Collect, clean, manage, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data using statistical software (e.g., STATA, R, SPSS, NVivo).
- Assist in the design and development of research methodologies, data collection tools (surveys, interview guides), and ethical review applications.
- Prepare detailed drafts of reports, research briefs, policy papers, and presentations for both internal and external stakeholders.
- Support the monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF programs by tracking indicators and helping to assess project impact.
- Synthesize complex research findings into accessible formats for advocacy and communication purposes.
- Collaborate with a diverse, multicultural team across different time zones and provide administrative support for research activities.
For Internship Roles:
- Support the day-to-day work of a specific section (e.g., Education, Child Protection, Communications) by assisting with project management tasks.
- Monitor media and compile daily news clips on relevant issues affecting children in the assigned region or thematic area.
- Conduct background research and contribute to the drafting of concept notes, talking points, newsletters, and social media content.
- Assist in organizing and note-taking for virtual meetings, workshops, and webinars.
- Help with data visualization and the creation of infographics to communicate key results.
- Participate in team meetings and contribute innovative ideas to ongoing projects and campaigns.
- Complete a capstone project or deliver a presentation on their assigned work at the end of the internship term.
Qualifications
Education and Certification:
For Research Assistant Roles:
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as International Development, Economics, Public Policy, Public Health, Social Sciences, Statistics, or a related discipline is required. A Master’s degree is highly desirable and often preferred for more advanced research roles.
- Certifications in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2), advanced data analysis, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), or specialized research methodologies are considered significant assets.
For Internship Roles:
- Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. program, or have graduated within the past two years.
- The field of study should be relevant to UNICEF’s work (e.g., International Relations, Social Work, Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Business, STEM).
- There is no specific certification required, but any relevant coursework or credentials related to the applied field will strengthen an application.
Experience:
For Research Assistant Roles:
- Proven professional experience (typically 2-4 years) in research, data analysis, policy analysis, or M&E, preferably within an academic, NGO, international organization, or think-tank setting.
- Demonstrated proficiency with data analysis software (e.g., STATA, R, SPSS, SQL, NVivo, Atlas.ti) and high competency in the Microsoft Office Suite (especially advanced Excel).
- A strong portfolio of past research work, which could include published papers, reports, or a detailed thesis.
- Previous experience working in a multicultural or international environment is a major advantage.
- Experience with remote work tools and demonstrated ability to work autonomously.
For Internship Roles:
- While prior full-time professional experience is not mandatory, any demonstrated experience is valuable. This includes:
- Part-time jobs, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities, especially in leadership roles.
- Previous internships in relevant fields (NGOs, government, media, etc.).
- Experience working or volunteering with youth or community-based organizations.
- Strong academic record and a clear passion for international development and the mandate of UNICEF.
Additional Information
Application Process: All applications for UNICEF positions must be submitted through the official UNICEF careers portal. Candidates are strongly advised to create a profile and carefully tailor their CV and cover letter to the specific position they are applying for, using keywords from the job description. The process typically involves an application screening, followed by written tests and several rounds of interviews.
Selection Criteria: UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, or disability. Selection is based on merit, relevant experience, and alignment with the organization’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability.
Important Notes:
- Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is essential for most roles. Proficiency in another official UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese) is a significant advantage.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 18 years old. For internships, proof of enrollment or recent graduation is required.
- Technology Requirements: Successful remote candidates will need a reliable, high-speed internet connection, a dedicated workspace, and a computer capable of running necessary software.
- Deadlines: Vacancies are posted on a rolling basis. There is no single deadline for “2025-2026” roles. Candidates must monitor the UNICEF website regularly for new postings.
Disclaimer: This post is an advertisement and summary of opportunities we have identified. We strive for accuracy, but all information is subject to change. For the most accurate, detailed, and official information, always refer to the official UNICEF website (unicef.org/careers). We are not involved in the application or selection process and cannot provide any guarantees of employment.
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