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: Project & Fundraising Intern
• Position type: 40 hours/week (100%)
• Duration: 6 months
• Starting date: Mid-January 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 be carrying out the following main activities, among others:

• Implementation of projects and reporting
  • Work with all DCI national sections, individually and at regional level, as well as the International Secretariat, to support the implementation of projects in line with DCI objectives (in particular, on justice for children and children deprived of liberty) as set out in its strategic framework and more specific objectives at national or regional level.
  • Provide support with narrative and financial reporting of projects.
• Fundraising for DCI national sections and the International Secretariat
  • Proactively support the Movement (at individual section level, at regional level, at global level) to develop concept notes for identified funding needs.
  • Identify potential donors and funding streams and, where possible, flag funding needs and gaps to potential donors (outreach, discussions, analysis of potential alignment, etc.).
  • Disseminate information on funding opportunities (calls for proposals, foundations relevant to DCI objectives, etc.) and on relevant project partnerships to the Movement.

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 project management, business administration, international law, international relations or related field, with strong fundraising and capacity-building 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:

• Fluency in French and English (essential for communication across DCI’s international sections and partners).
• Ability to draft clear narrative reports and support financial reporting.

• Familiarity with project management or fundraising platforms is a plus.

• Ability to support the drafting of concept notes and proposals tailored to funding needs.
• Research skills to identify potential donors and funding streams.
• Understanding of child rights frameworks, justice for children, and deprivation of liberty.
• Proficiency with office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

We offer:

• Insight into the internal and external working of a global grassroots Movement
• Insight into the work of National Sections’ in over 25 countries across the globe
• Insight into the United Nations’ human rights mechanisms and how NGOs can influence international policies
• 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.

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

DCI is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff, and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of sex, age, disability, gender identity, or ethnicity.

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: dcirecruitment@defenceforchildren.org (with the subject line “Application Internship: Projects & Fundraising”).  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.