Data Science and AI/ML Intern , Istanbul, EMOPS, 6 months

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built, we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Innovation 

Purpose and Objective:  

The Office of Emergency Programme (EMOPS) provides strategic and coordinated support to Country Offices preparing for and responding to humanitarian crises, in collaboration with Regional Offices, to ensure that they have the right capacities to respond effectively and deliver on its Core Commitments to Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs). EMOPS leads efforts to ensure that UNICEF’s role in complex emergencies and natural disasters is clearly defined, that the organisation is properly equipped to fulfil that role, and that all levels of the organisation are prepared to deliver our mandate.  

 The Risk Analysis and Preparedness Section in EMOPS (RAPS) main purpose is to support UNICEF in being ready to meet the CCCs in humanitarian emergencies and thus to contribute to UNICEF’s general ability to assess and adapt to a multitude of risks. RAPS’ aim is to help UNICEF be best prepared and impactful in saving and protecting lives, and in reducing countries’ and populations’ fragilities and children’s vulnerability around the world towards reaching the SDGs. The EMOPS Risk Analysis and Preparedness Section (RAPS) has a mandate to improve risk analysis and forecasting related to contextual risks, including developing methods and tools to support these activities. To support this work RAPS is seeking an intern to support its work in data science.

How can you make a difference? 

Main duties and responsibilities:  

The intern, under the supervision of the Emergency Specialist (Risk Analysis), will be responsible for supporting the development and enhancement of artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) tools and data-scraping for automating data collection, analysis and visualization, aiding real-time risk analysis and decision-making processes. 

The main activities will include:  

AI/ML Tools Development: 

• Develop AI/ML scripts to automate the scraping and aggregation of unstructured data from websites, internal mailing lists and other relevant risk analysis sources. 

• Aggregate the data captured in a database and display the information through a basic PowerBI dashboard, with limited filtering features (date, country, source, content), integrated with UNICEF’s geospatial dashboard, GeoSight, for seamless data visualization. 

• Implement a notification system to flag unusual patterns, such as higher-than-average risk reporting on specific countries or regions. This automation would provide real-time insights into potential human-made hazards.  

• Create visualizations, including charts, graphs and tables, to present findings effectively. 

• Explore and test new AI/ML advancements and geospatial technologies relevant to risk analysis. 

• Propose scalable solutions to broaden the scope of tools for additional risks or geographic areas. 

Data Management and Integration: 

• Research, identify and integrate additional data sources, including APIs, open data platforms and social media feeds, to enhance risk analysis coverage. 

• Create workflows for cleaning, tagging and standardizing unstructured data for consistent and reliable analysis. 

• Maintain a comprehensive database to store and manage aggregated data efficiently. 

Statistical Analysis: 

• Perform light statistical analysis on collected data using tools such as Excel, Python or R to identify trends, correlations and patterns. 

• Explore predictive analytics and anomaly detection to forecast risks and identify emerging hazards. 

Capacity Building and Documentation: 

• Write detailed documentation for all tools, workflows and dashboards to ensure knowledge transfer and sustainability. 

• Organize workshops or training sessions to familiarize the team with developed tools and dashboards. 

Benefits to Intern:  

The intern would be able to:  

• Gain hands-on experience in applying AI/ML techniques and data visualization tools (e.g., PowerBI, Python) to solve real-world challenges in risk analysis and emergency management. 

• Enhance technical skills in data scraping, statistical analysis and dashboard development, along with soft skills like problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration. 

• Understand how advanced technologies can support decision-making processes in global humanitarian and emergency contexts, contributing to meaningful, high-impact work. 

• Main output: PowerBI dashboard, aggregating data scrapped/extracted from multiple external risk sources, including notification system flagging unusual patterns. 

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

Minimum Requirements: (Standard for ALL internship advertisement):  

• Letter of verification from the college or university that the intern is currently enrolled in an undergraduate school and has completed at least two years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of an undergraduate degree (if the candidate is 18 years old, this replaces the two-year bachelor’s completion requirement); or, Graduate Degree Program (i.e., Master’s, PhD).  It should also state the expected graduation date.  Recent graduates are allowed until 2 years after degree completion.  

• Copy of their most recent official transcript showing excellent academic performance   

• Copy of Identification Card (ID)  

• One letter of signed recommendation on letterhead or from professional email address  

Qualifications:   

• Enrolled as a student (or recent graduate; see above) in a graduate degree programme in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, or other relevant subject.  

• At least 1-year previous work experience in a relevant field.  

• Strong proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Web Scraping), data visualization tools (e.g., PowerBI) and AI/ML. 

• Demonstrated statistical / data analysis skills.  

• Analytical, problem-solving and communication skills. 

• Fluent in English (written and oral); intermediate knowledge of any additional UN languages (French, Arabic, Spanish, Russian) is an asset.  

For every Child, you demonstrate... 

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from all underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.