Students and recent graduates with backgrounds in Computer Science, Data Science, Climate Risk, Geospatial Analysis, and Digital Technologies may be interested in the latest UNICEF Research Internship 2026. UNICEF is recruiting a Research Intern within its Digital Impact Division – Digital Inclusion for a three-month paid internship. Based in Geneva, this full-time opportunity offers a monthly net stipend of USD $1,700, allowing participants to contribute to innovative research on digital connectivity, climate resilience, and geospatial analysis while supporting UNICEF’s mission to improve digital opportunities for children worldwide.
This internship is an excellent opportunity for postgraduate students and recent graduates who want to build practical experience in digital innovation, climate research, spatial data analysis, and international development while working with one of the world’s leading United Nations agencies.
Background & Job Description
UNICEF is the United Nations agency responsible for protecting the rights and wellbeing of children in more than 190 countries and territories. Through partnerships with governments, communities, development agencies, and the private sector, UNICEF works to improve children’s access to health, education, nutrition, protection, and digital opportunities.
As part of UNICEF’s ongoing digital transformation, the Digital Impact Division (DID) develops innovative technology solutions that strengthen UNICEF programmes globally. Within this division, the Digital Inclusion Programme focuses on expanding equitable and affordable digital access for children, schools, health facilities, and underserved communities by working with governments, regulators, telecommunications providers, and development partners.
UNICEF is now seeking a Research Intern to support the Barcelona Tech Delivery Team and the Strategic Partnerships Team. The successful intern will contribute to research projects examining how climate-related emergencies—particularly floods—affect the accessibility and digital connectivity of schools, health centres, and other child-focused infrastructure across the Global South.
The internship combines research, geospatial analysis, scientific writing, and digital innovation while providing exposure to UNICEF’s international programmes, multidisciplinary teams, and technology-driven solutions that improve children’s lives.
Please note that this article is published solely for informational purposes. We are not affiliated with UNICEF and do not participate in its recruitment process. Interested applicants should always submit their applications through the official UNICEF Careers portal.
Tasks
The Research Intern will support UNICEF’s Digital Inclusion Programme through technical research and analytical activities.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Conducting research on digital connectivity and child-focused infrastructure.
- Performing geospatial analysis related to climate risks and flood accessibility.
- Processing and analysing geospatial and climate datasets.
- Supporting research on schools, health facilities, and digital infrastructure.
- Assisting with scientific methodology development.
- Contributing to technical reports and scientific publications.
- Preparing research documentation and analytical summaries.
- Collaborating with UNICEF’s Barcelona Tech Delivery and Geneva Strategic Partnerships teams.
- Supporting evidence generation for digital inclusion initiatives.
- Contributing to research projects focused on climate resilience and digital access.
- Participating in multidisciplinary research discussions and technical activities.
Throughout the internship, participants will gain valuable exposure to international research methodologies, digital innovation programmes, and technology solutions supporting children’s development worldwide.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Applicants should currently be enrolled in, or have recently completed, an advanced university programme.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science.
- Data Science.
- Climate Risk.
- Geospatial Science.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Environmental Data Science.
- Related technical disciplines.
Candidates who graduated within the last two years remain eligible to apply.
Applicants pursuing a PhD, particularly those with published research in internationally recognized scientific journals on closely related topics, will have an added advantage.
Experience
UNICEF is seeking technically skilled candidates with strong analytical capabilities.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Knowledge of climate and geospatial datasets.
- Experience processing spatial and environmental data.
- Strong programming skills in Python.
- Experience with scientific research methods.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong written communication and scientific writing skills.
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Commitment to producing high-quality research outputs.
Fluency in English is required, while knowledge of Spanish is considered an advantage.
Additional Information
This internship will run for three months, beginning in September 2026, with some flexibility regarding the starting date. The internship is full-time, requiring approximately 40 hours per week, and is fully on-site in Geneva.
Successful interns will receive a monthly net stipend of USD $1,700, prorated according to attendance. In addition, interns are entitled to up to 2.5 days of leave per month, including leave for personal or medical reasons, in accordance with UNICEF internship policies.
Applicants should prepare a tailored application that clearly demonstrates their experience in Python programming, geospatial analysis, climate data processing, scientific research, and technical writing. Highlighting academic research projects, publications, programming experience, and climate-related analytical work can significantly strengthen an application.
UNICEF remains committed to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and safeguarding. The organization welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of nationality, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics. Eligible female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply, and reasonable accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process for applicants who require accessibility support.
For postgraduate students and early-career researchers seeking practical experience at the intersection of digital technology, climate resilience, and international development, the UNICEF Research Internship 2026 offers an outstanding opportunity to build technical expertise while contributing to innovative solutions that improve children’s lives around the world.
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