ECW/UNICEF Internship 2026: Build Your Career While Advancing Global Education for a Brighter Future

If you’re passionate about education, humanitarian action, data, and global impact, the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Internship with Education Cannot Wait (ECW), hosted by UNICEF, is an exciting opportunity to consider. This competitive six-month internship, expected to begin between February and March 2026, offers a unique chance to contribute to global education efforts while gaining meaningful professional experience within the UN system. Designed for graduate students and recent graduates, the role supports some of the most urgent global responses in crisis-affected contexts.

What Is Education Cannot Wait (ECW)?

ECW is the first global fund dedicated entirely to education in emergencies and protracted crises. Its mission is to ensure that children and youth whose lives have been disrupted by conflict, climate disasters, displacement, or fragile circumstances can continue learning and access safe, inclusive, and quality education. Although hosted by UNICEF, ECW operates as an independent fund with its own Secretariat, governance, and strategic priorities.

Interns selected for this programme join the ECW Secretariat’s Monitoring and Evaluation team, working directly with experts who track results across multiple countries and analyse evidence that informs policy, programmes, and funding decisions. This makes the internship particularly valuable for those hoping to pursue careers in international development, education, humanitarian work, or data analysis.

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What the Internship Offers: Hands-On Work With Global Impact

This internship is highly practical and involves real responsibilities that go far beyond typical administrative tasks. Interns contribute to essential monitoring, evaluation, and learning functions that influence how education programmes are designed and implemented in crisis settings.

Key responsibilities may include:

• Analysing qualitative and quantitative data from programmes across various countries.
• Supporting the development of the ECW Annual Results Report by reviewing submissions, checking data accuracy, and synthesising findings.
• Conducting literature reviews and background research on education in emergencies and related thematic areas.
• Supporting knowledge-management work, including data organisation, information system updates, and database development.
• Helping prepare learning products such as briefs, case studies, presentations, and internal reports.
• Assisting in organising virtual learning sessions, workshops, and inter-agency exchanges.
• Working with ECW staff to plan and execute a small project during the internship, allowing interns to take ownership of a meaningful initiative.

This mix of analytical tasks, research, and learning-focused activities ensures that interns are exposed to multiple dimensions of programmatic and organisational work.

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Who Can Apply?

The internship is open to candidates who meet the following criteria:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be enrolled in a master’s programme or have graduated with a bachelor’s or master’s degree within the last three years.
• Should have academic training in education, social sciences, development studies, humanitarian action, data analysis, or related fields.
• Must demonstrate strong analytical and data-handling skills. Proficiency in Excel is required, and familiarity with analytical tools such as R or STATA is considered an asset.
• Must be fluent in English, with strong communication and writing skills. Knowledge of French or Spanish is advantageous.
• Should be able to work effectively in diverse, multicultural environments and show interest in global education issues.
• Lived experience in low- or middle-income countries is highly valued.
• Applicants must not have immediate family members working with UNICEF or within the ECW Secretariat.

This internship strongly encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including persons with disabilities.

Internship Conditions and Benefits

The internship is full-time, totaling 35 hours per week, and runs for five to six months. Interns are expected to work remotely while aligning with Central European Time (CET) hours. In some cases, workspace may be available at UNICEF offices in Geneva or New York.

Interns receive a monthly stipend, with the exact amount depending on their duty station. Paid time off is also available during the internship period.

Final Thoughts

The ECW M&E internship is an exceptional opportunity for early-career professionals who want to make a meaningful global impact while developing strong analytical, research, and reporting skills. By contributing to real-world education initiatives in crisis settings, interns gain both practical experience and a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in global education. For those looking to build a career in humanitarian action, development, or evidence-based policy, this internship offers a powerful launchpad toward future leadership roles.