Defence for Children International is looking for a Communications & Development Intern

Application deadline: 16/07/2026

Salary: CHF 600 - CHF 600 / month

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Contract Type: Internship

Department: DCI International Secretariat

About Defence for Children International (DCI)

Defence for Children International (DCI) is a child rights-focused and membership-based grassroots movement placing all members on equal footing. Created during the International Year of the Child (1979), DCI coordinated the NGO input for the drafting of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) - the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. DCI’s mandate is to ensure ongoing, practical, systematic and concerted action directed towards effective implementation of the human rights codified in the UNCRC, by means of its effective coordination between different levels (national, regional and international) and its active membership within key networks and fora. DCI counts over 25 grassroot organisations (National Sections and Associated Members), who contribute daily to defend and protect the human rights of children.

For more information see www.defenceforchildren.org

Job Description

• Job Title: Communications & Development Intern
• Position type: 40 hours/week (100%)
• Duration: 6 months
• Starting date: September 2026
• Location: DCI International Secretariat based in Geneva, Switzerland
• Internship allowance: 600 CHF (Swiss social charges will be deducted from this amount)

Roles & responsibilities

The intern will assist in communications, fundraising and outreach activities. The primary activities, among others, include:

• Support the internal and external communication through drafting concise texts and translating texts and documents as necessary
• Support the production of DCI communication materials: News stories, social media, e-member news, external newsletters, leaflets, brochures, flyers, etc.
• Updating the websites
• Assist the organisation of in-person or online events
• Assist in monitoring and reporting on project activities
• Conduct background research on specific issues
• Liaise with DCI National Sections, particularly in the context of DCI’s communication activities.

The International Secretariat works on the following priority themes of the Strategic Framework:

• Justice for Children
• Deprivation of liberty
• Violence against Children
• Children on the Move
• Children and Armed Conflict
• Gender equality
• Child Participation

Qualifications & Education requirements

• Enrolled for the duration of the internship in a university degree in communications, journalism, international relations, human/child rights, or related field, with strong communications and fundraising skills.
• Be able to obtain a tripartite internship agreement with the enrolled university that allows for you to work 40 hours per week.
• This internship is part of an academic training programme, a professional training programme or a socio-professional integration programme, and must meet the conditions set by the Conseil de surveillance du marché de l'emploi (CSME).

Preferred Skills

• Strong communication skills, especially written drafting and editing
• Good knowledge of website management and related software (WordPress, Elementor)
• Good content creation and social media strategy skills (Canva, Adobe Suite)
• Experience with newsletter software (Brevo)
• An excellent command of both written and spoken English as well as very good skills in Spanish, (French or Arabic would be an asset)
• Knowledge of fundraising techniques for civil society (events organisation, crowd funding, approaching the private sector, dealing with donors …)
• A good understanding of the functioning of the United Nations human rights mechanisms
• Intercultural and interpersonal sensitivity and ability to represent DCI professionally in international fora
• Proactive and can-do attitude, readiness to help other team members as necessary.

We offer

• Insight into the internal and external working of a global grassroots Movement
• Insight into the United Nations’ human rights mechanisms and how NGOs can influence international policies
• Insight into the work of National Sections’ in over 25 countries across the globe
• International working environment and being part of a small but dynamic team: your motivation decides the role and responsibilities assigned to you
• Links to other key child rights organisations working in Geneva.

Application

Interested candidates meeting the qualifications are invited to e-mail their curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages) and an application letter (max. 1 page, indicating your preferred starting date) in English, to: [email protected] (with the subject line “Application Internship: Communications”). Only complete applications will be considered. Recruitment will be on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please note that due to the high number of applications, we will not review incomplete applications, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

All DCI-IS staff and representatives are required to respect the DCI-IS child safeguarding policy in their position and in their private life.

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