Internship: Child Protection Programme

Job Description

For every child, a protection.

How can you make a difference?

Description of duties

Justice for children is one of the focus areas for the UNICEF Child Protection Programme in Bhutan. UNICEF collaborates with the Bhutan National Legal Institute (BNLI), the Legal Aid Center, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), Pema Secretariat, and Nazhoen Lamtoen to strengthen laws concerning children in conflict with the law (CICL) and to build the capacity of service providers to meet the needs of CICL and other children who come into contact with the justice system.

Reinforcing all aspects of the child protection system, including justice mechanisms to ensure they serve the best interests of children, is a priority. This involves improving the quality of justice services, ensuring access to these services to address child protection and uphold their rights, and supporting the Government in fulfilling its national and international obligations.

In 2026, continuing with the work on Justice for Children, UNICEF will be:

• Supporting the Legal Aid Centre and BNLI in improving access to legal aid for children, women, and vulnerable people through capacity building of key service providers.
• Working with RBP, OAG, and the PEMA Secretariat to strengthen the diversion of CICL and enhance rehabilitation and reintegration services for children in the Youth Rehabilitation and Development Centre (YRDC);
• Working with JSWLS to build capacity on justice for children, support coordination of the justice sector, and development of competency frameworks.
• Work with JSWLS to support legal aid services for RENEW Community Centers and contribute to the development of restorative justice tools such as the Family Group Conferencing Handbook.
• Working with the Pema Secretariat on enhancing child protection and GBV services.
• Support the GovTech Agency and SID (MoESD) in rolling out Child Online Protection training packages and procedures for schools under digitalization projects.
• Support Nazhoen Lamtoen’s capacity building on trauma-informed care and strengthening community child protection teams.

Under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Officer, the intern will:

1. Support the research and development of policy, laws, and legal frameworks related to Child Rights.
2. Support the coordination mechanism for child protection and justice for children.
3. Support with rehabilitation programmes and services in the Youth Rehabilitation and Development Centre under the RBP.
4. Contribute to the research on climate change, online risk, and restorative justice.
5. Support the strengthening of the justice for children’s workforce, as well as the social service workforce for child protection.
6. Contribute to developing project proposals, document review, analysis, drafting reports, and presentations.
7. Assist in coordination, data entry and preparation of advocacy materials.
8. Support other programme activities related to child protection as required by the supervisor.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

To be considered for an internship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old;
• Should be a current ”Final Year” student of ”Jigme Singye Wangchuck Law School”;
• Must be proficient in English and fluent in the Dzongkha.
• Have excellent academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records.
• Have no immediate relatives (e.g. father, mother, brother, sister) working in any UNICEF office; and
• Have no other relatives in the line of authority to which the intern will report to.

Benefits:

• The intern shall be entitled to all the benefits as provided by UNICEF Procedure on Internship Programme.

Duration of Engagement: 4 months (01 February - 31 May 2026)

Documents to be submitted:

1. Letter of motivation/Cover Letter

2. CV

3. Copy of Citizenship ID Card

4. Proof of enrollment in JSW Law of School

5. Recent Academic Transcripts

Duration: 4 months (01 February - 31 May 2026)

DEADLINE: 30 Nov 2025 Bangladesh Standard Time

About the Organization

UNICEF is out to change the world for children vaccination by vaccination, blanket by blanket, biscuit by biscuit, book by book. In most of America, these things are considered completely ordinary. But in many parts of the developing world, they can save a child's life. UNICEF is unique among world organizations and unique among those working with young people. As a global movement, we use our authority to influence decision makers and diverse partners to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. In 155 countries and territories, UNICEF's field staff uses hard-won expertise to meet the challenges facing children and those who care for them. Our history has given us a profound understanding of development and the importance of child health, education, equality and protection in advancing humanity. All that we do helps children realize their full potential. In support of UNICEF's work, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF focuses on five major priorities: education, emergencies, HIV/AIDS, immunization and malnutrition.