Intern: Child Labour Programme

The Child Labor Program is seeking an intern with a postgraduate degree (Master's or higher), basic exposure to project management, strong research and intercultural communication skills, and a passion for children's rights, particularly in stopping child labour. Does your academic background, profile, and career goals align with this opportunity? Are you eager to learn new skills and work in an exciting, innovative, and dynamic environment? If so, keep reading!

About Terre des Hommes

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is part of the International Federation of Terre des Hommes organizations, a strategic partnership of member organizations sharing the same brand name and core values ​​for joint lobby and advocacy around children's rights. Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) protects children by preventing and stopping child exploitation, and by empowering children to make their voices count. Our work is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and seeks to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Under our new Global Strategy (2023 - 2030), TdH NL is redefining and refining our role as a child rights organization, with the strategic ambition that “by 2030, Terre des Hommes Netherlands is a catalyst for systemic change to stop child exploitation. We do this by empowering children and their communities, connecting them with those who have power to enact change, and utilizing our knowledge and expertise to co-create sustainable, evidence-based solutions.”

TdH Netherlands is led by a two-headed Executive Team: the Executive Director and the CEO.

The values ​​of TdH Netherlands are: Responsible, Bold, Human-Centred and Playful.

The organization's core principles are: (1)Children at the Centre, (2) Intersectionality and Power Awareness, (3) Safety and Wellbeing, (4) Sustainability, and (5) Meaningful and Strategic Partnerships.

In line with our new strategy, TdH NL is in the process of establishing three thematic programs under which our portfolio of humanitarian and development projects and programs will be managed. These are: 1. Child Labour, 2. Sexual Exploitation of Children, and 3. Humanitarian Action. Our programmatic work is supported by two cross-programmatic units: Program Development and Quality (PDQ), and Research, Expertise and Influencing (REI). Aligned to our new strategy, and based on many years of experience as a child rights organization, we aim to consolidate our expertise and program management, informed by research, to bring about sustainable and systemic change in the lives of children, and to hold duty bearers accountable.

The focus of TdH NL regarding humanitarian action is on child protection in emergencies (CPiE), with a particular focus on the protection of children from exploitation. 

What is the objective of this internship?
The internship is both a learning and personal development experience for the intern, as well as knowledge-enhancing for the internship provider. We expect the intern to deliver a concrete contribution to the Child Labour programme roll out.

We are looking for a motivated and hands-on intern, with:

• Passion for children’s rights and interest in child protection and child labour.
  ● Understanding and exposure to the business and human rights framework; environmental, social and governance risks in supply chains and responsible business conduct.
  ● A particular interest in diversity, inclusion and intersectionality would be an added bonus.
  ● Currently enrolled in a Masters or Doctoral degree in international relations, human rights, sustainability studies, international development studies, political science, sociology, social work, social policy, criminology, gender studies or related fields.
• Written and spoken proficiency in English; French would be a plus.
  ● Analytical and conceptual skills.
  ● Exposure and basic knowledge of project cycle management in development cooperation.
  ● Experience in conducting desk research is required. Primary research skills are desirable but not essential.
  ● Interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, both in person and online.
  ● Proactive, resourceful and self-driven.
  ● Intellectually curious.
  ● Willingness to learn, think out of the box, share innovative ideas, contribute actively and collaborate with diverse colleagues.
  ● Ability to balance internship responsibilities with academic and personal commitments.
  ● Commitment to TdH’s core values and principles, including inclusivity and placing children at the centre.

Tasks

The specific tasks and projects will be defined in agreement with the intern and will be based
on interest, experience and skills.

The tasks may include:

• Supporting the development, implementation and dissemination of research on child labour, especially on interventions to prevent and eliminate CL;
  ● Contributing to desk reviews on context analysis of countries related to child labour;
  ● Supporting the coordination of learning and knowledge-exchange meetings and events (i.e webinars) involving staff working at country, regional and global levels;
  ● Conduct the ethical screening of potential companies interested in partnering with us.
  ● Contributing to the development, review and referencing of concept notes, guidelines and other documents related to Child Labour;
  ● Accompanying the Head of Programme (HoP) and other HoP TP staff to meetings with stakeholders and partners, when appropriate;
• Participating actively in All Staff, CL team meetings, and other learning and collaboration spaces within TdH, and taking minutes when needed;
  ● Communicating internally with staff at country, regional and global levels to share knowledge and inspire;
  ● Providing general support to the CL TP team when completing planned and reactive tasks.

The intern’s responsibilities are to:

• Co-create a learning and mentorship plan, tailored to suit your interests, needs, knowledge capacity and skills with clear goals against which to review your progress during and at the end of the internship.
  ● Participate in regular one-on-one learning & support sessions with the CL HoP, other CL staff members and post internship reflection meetings.
  ● If useful, maintain an internship journal, and submit a reflections report at the end of the internship (max. 2 pages).
  ● Complete online child safeguarding training, as well as introductory online courses on children’s rights;
  ● Track hours and maintain a healthy internship-life balance.
  ● Contribute to a respectful and inclusive workplace.

What do we have to offer?

• An internship where you can really make a difference for children;
  ● An organisation with enthusiastic and highly skilled colleagues;
  ● An easily accessible office in the middle of The Hague;
  ● A 3 month internship contract;
  ● The stipend is 400 EUR per month based on 36 hours a week;
  ● Start date 1 October and the end date of the internship is 31 December 2024. 

Application process

Please upload your application before 25 August via this link. It should include a cover letter and CV/resume.

The shortlisting will take place on 26 August with an expected interview date 28 & 29 August. 

 For more information please contact vacature@tdh.nl 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Integrity and Child Safeguarding

We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and challenge our thinking. We are especially interested in people whose lived experiences help us to see things we might otherwise miss, and enable us to do better work with and for children. Whether or not you meet 100% of the criteria, we want to hear from you, because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world.

TdH NL is committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation. We continue to learn about intersectional considerations and power distribution within our organisation and our work. We are dedicated to preventing and eradicating any type of misconduct including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any other type of misuse of power, lack of integrity or financial misconduct.

Note: We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values ​​​​​​​​are recruited to work for us, this includes a commitment to diversity and inclusion at all levels of our work. All offers of employment will therefore be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include a valid criminal record check, terrorism finance checks, and/or integrity screenings/references relating to misconduct and disciplinary actions in prior employment.

TdH NL is particularly committed to keeping children and vulnerable individuals safe, and has zero tolerance on (child) abuse. Every TdH NL employee is bound by the TdH NL Code of Conduct that describes the expected behavior by staff, in particular with regards to Safeguarding children and (young) adults in our programs . Child safeguarding measures are part of our selection and recruitment process. By submitting your application you accept that TdH NL will conduct such pre-employment screening for successful candidates. TdH NL participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.