Terms of Reference
Organization: UNESCO Bangkok Office
Unit: HIV Prevention and Health Promotion Unit
Duration: As soon as possible, up to 6 months
Application deadline: 12 April 2016
Programme Background:
The HIV Prevention and Health Promotion Unit coordinates UNESCO’s work on adolescent health and development issues including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence. It provides technical assistance to regional UNESCO offices and regional partners, as well as direct support to programming in Thailand on topics such as bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, comprehensive sexuality education, and HIV prevention among young people from key populations at higher risk of HIV exposure.
The Unit has been leading regional initiatives to address gender discrimination in education and school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), including bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression (SOGI/E). This includes, in partnership with the East Asia Pacific UN Girls Education Initiative, recently releasing the Connect with Respect teacher support tool; holding a regional roundtable on SRGBV in 2013 with over 50 experts and key stakeholders from 15 countries involved in the development of research on, or the implementation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), or funding of programmes to address SRGBV; producing the first regional review of SRGBV in the Asia-Pacific region; releasing infographics on SRGBV in 13 regional languages for the International Day of the Girl Child in 2014; and is presently supporting country initiatives including in China, Fiji and Indonesia.
In the area of bullying and violence on the basis of SOGIE, a form of SRGBV, UNESCO Bangkok has commissioned Thailand’s first ever systematic study on this issue, launched a “School Rainbow” campaign in schools in Bangkok, and mobilized funding for a 3-year project in Thailand to scale up school-based prevention and response actions in schools in Bangkok and Chiang Mai with funding from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of the Netherlands. UNESCO has expanded the evidence base on this issue in other countries including supporting studies in China and Viet Nam (results forthcoming). UNESCO Bangkok also received funding as the education partner for UNDP’s Being LGBT in Asia initiative, and recently held an Asia-Pacific regional consultation on this issue with over 100 representatives from 13 countries; released three short films; launched a social media campaign #PurpleMySchool to build attention and action in the region; and produced the first regional report on SOGIE-related bullying, violence and discrimination in schools.
This internship opportunity is to support the gender and SRGBV portfolio within the HP2 Unit, including support to bullying and violence on the basis of SOGI/E.
Start date and duration of internship:
Minimum four months and maximum duration being six months, starting as soon as possible.
Main tasks and assignments:
The intern will work under the supervision of the Unit’s Chief to perform the following work assignments:
· Support to gender equality in education initiatives, including UNESCO’s participation in gender thematic working groups including the East Asia Pacific UN Girls Education Initiative, the UNDG Asia-Pacific Task Team on Extremism leading to Discrimination against Women and Girls in the Asia-Pacific region, and the Asia-Pacific Inter-Agency Task Team on Key Affect Women and Girls.
· Support to country efforts on SRGBV, including the organization of country consultations on SRGBV and SOGIE-based bullying, violence and discrimination.
· Support to planning for advocacy and capacity-building sessions planned by UNESCO in international and regional conferences and national events such as those planned for the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May 2016.
· Other tasks as assigned by the Unit Chief.
Learning opportunities during the course of the internship:
· Gain practical knowledge on the role of the UN and other international organizations in supporting youth, human rights and gender equality and addressing exclusion
· Gain experience working on the creation of content for UN website and for advocacy events
· Understand Asia-Pacific countries’ approaches to addressing gender, HIV and youth through exposure in regional meetings and learning opportunities.
Qualifications:
· Advanced degree related to a social science - including psychology, gender studies, development studies, public policy or public administration;
· Strong English-language written and speaking skills, knowledge of another Asian language is an advantage
· Demonstrated experience studying, working or volunteering in the thematic areas of gender-based violence, school bullying, and/or gender and sexual diversity
· Familiarity with the Asia-Pacific region, and/or previous experience working with the UN/multilateral/bilateral institution is an advantage
Application process:
To apply, interested candidates should submit as soon as possible the following:
1. A completed internship or volunteer application form. The form can be downloaded from www.unescobkk.org/internship-programme-and-volunteers/
2. A covering letter outlining your interest in undertaking the Volunteer/Intern (please specify your tentative start date and length of stay);
3. A resume/CV.
The application should be submitted by email to:
Chief, Executive Office
UNESCO Bangkok
Mom Luang Pin Malakul Centennial Building
920 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, Prakanong, Bangkok 10110, THAILAND
Email: intern-volunteer.bgk@unesco.org
with a copy to: hivinfo.bgk@unesco.org
Application deadline: 12 April 2016