Child Trafficking Research Project - Internship Programme

The UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre is based in Florence, Italy and is the main research arm of UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, helping to shape the organization's human rights agenda for children

The UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre has been working on child trafficking since 1998 in close collaboration with UNICEF Regional and Country Offices and other partners. The Centre is currently engaged in research activities on trafficking of children in Europe and Asia investigating the complexity of the problem from its origin to its destination.

This research allows UNICEF to gather cross-country information about the trafficking of children, and about policies and practices adopted by governments to prevent trafficking, respond to victims, and to follow up with various forms of repatriation and rehabilitation. What is also unique to the research – always critically important to the work of IRC – is the applied nature of the project. The first phase of the research lays the foundation for information sharing among stakeholders who are concerned, at many levels and in a variety of ways, with fighting child trafficking. Current and on-going research will further this aim, by means of ensuring that the data base and web site are useful to those working in the area. Additionally, a careful analysis of the findings may inform the refinement of existing policies. Research and analysis may also inform the development of new policies in the prevention of child trafficking, and the protection and care of children who are victimized.

Finally, the research focuses on developing research methodologies for gathering specific and reliable data. The lack of quantitative and qualitative data on trafficked children is one of the main constraints to effective intervention and evidence-based policy making. A lack of available information also limits the ability to determine if implemented strategies are indeed improving the protection of trafficked children.

Under the supervision of the Child Trafficking Assistant Project Officer, the intern will assist in the IRC research on child trafficking. In particular, the intern will:

Provide research assistance and support in collecting basic information on patterns and flows of trafficking as well as relevant national and international legal and policy frameworks by:

• Assisting the staff in researching relevant publications (studies, reports, official documents, etc. available on the internet) in order to establish a comprehensive bibliography on the child trafficking phenomenon in selected countries and regions;
• Reviewing secondary sources and classification of data according to pre-defined indicators on patterns and flows of trafficking and relevant national and international legal and policy responses;
• Carrying out database management and data input (Excel databases);
• Compiling collected data and preliminary editing;
• Collecting additional information on the phenomenon of child trafficking and any kind of relevant and interesting information to enlarge and deepen the current research;
• Maintaining updated the bibliography files;
• Keeping the child trafficking website updated according to new information, special events and/or specific needs of users, including daily screening of internet and review of news articles;
• Any other activities as assigned by the Assistant Project Officer

The intern will have the possibility of participating in any other activity relevant to IRC’s work (seminars, internal workshops etc.)

Qualifications and/or specialized knowledge/experience required and desirable for this opening:

• University degree in Social Sciences, International law, or related field;
• Ability to organise and manage complex information in a systematic way;
• Ability to work with reliability and precision;
• Fluency in English, and in French or Spanish;
• Good Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications;
• Knowledge of child rights and the phenomenon of child trafficking an asset;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and as part of a team.

Period: September – November 2006

Conditions:
To be considered for an internship at UNICEF:

• You need to be a currently-enrolled graduate or post-graduate student in a field related to UNICEF’s interests. You must be enrolled during the proposed internship period.
• You should be fluent in English and one other UNICEF working language i.e. French or Spanish.
• Your academic performance should be excellent, as demonstrated by recent university or institution records.
• Your application for an internship should be supported by your university or related institution. A minimum requirement is a letter from one of your professors supporting your application.
• Additional consideration will be given for any past work experiences.

However, please keep in mind that even if you meet these qualifications, there is no guarantee of placement.

UNICEF does not provide financial support for interns. All successful applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel, lodging and living expenses during the internship period. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

How to apply: Please send your CV and the application form to the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, attn. Ms Bernadette Delaney, e-mail: bdelaney@unicef.org with a copy to dwenke@unicef.org

Application form (download here)

Deadline for applications: 20 August 2006

For additional information on the research you can contact:
Daja Wenke, Assistant Project Officer
UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre
P.zza S.S. Annunziata 12
Florence, Italy
tel: +39 055 2033 221
fax: +39 055 2033 220
email: dwenke@unicef.org

Past Interns
Heli Askola European University Institute
Beniamino Cislaghi University of Essex
Barbara Colzi Scuola Superiore S.Anna
Claire Darwin BPP Law School
Daria Davitti University of Nottingham
Amanda Flaim Stanford University
Flora Joossens University of Padova
Jesse Newman Oxford University
Sara Mia Noguera UN University for Peace
Larissa Pople University of London
Paola Pes Universita' degli Studi di Milano
Karen Richardson London School of Economics
Alessandro Rizzo ISPI Milano
Chiara Tagliani University of Essex
Elisa Tamburini Universita' di Pavia