Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global anti-poverty network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 177 countries and territories, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

The Office of Communications at UNDP is at the forefront of advancing online communications and outreach within the organization and is seeking a graduate student with an interest in global issues and social media to assist in building our outreach efforts. This post will give you the opportunity to assist in developing digital strategies for campaign projects that raise awareness for and engage people in UNDP’s efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. This internship includes networking with UNDP’s online community, researching and implementing digital services for campaigning and project management of multimedia content and engagement tools.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Keep up to date on new social media tools (especially Facebook and Twitter), best practice and how other organizations and companies are using them in order to identify new campaigning opportunities;
  • Support the management of UNDP’s global presence on social media including regular updates and personal communications with fans and followers;
  • Develop and implement strategies and new tools for recruiting and engaging supporters through social media;
  • Monitor and respond to supporter comments and emails regarding online content and campaigning;
  • Providing research based strategic advice on the development and use of new tools for online campaigning

Competencies

  • An understanding of internet communications strategies, blogging best practice, social media trends, techniques and information architecture;
  • Skills to build and maintain relationships with bloggers and key online outlets;
  • An interest in and understanding of online campaign methods and the contribution campaign work can make to achieving change.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  •  Enrollment in a graduate degree programme in a development or communications-related field, such as journalism, interactive telecommunications, international relations, political science, anthropology, sociology, public or business administration.

Experience:

  • Experience writing or participating in blogs, community sites and social media;
  • Experience in developing and implementing online campaigns and/or marketing strategies;
  • Experience editing images or preparing graphics for the web and email communications;
  • Experience engaging and building communities on social networks, particularly Twitter and Facebook;
  • Ideally, experience with the use of mobile messaging tools to engage supporters.

Language:

  • Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required;
  • Proficiency in French or Spanish is an asset.

Availability:

  • Must be available at least three days a week, preferably full-time.

Conditions:

  • Please be aware that internships with UNDP are not paid and you need to be enrolled in a graduate degree programme;
  • The costs associated must be borne by the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students; or by the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his or her own arrangements for travel, accommodation, visa, etc.

The successful candidate will be required to:

  • Bring a certificate from her/his school that s/he is enrolled in a Master's programme;
  • Have a valid visa to work in the US;
  • Have medical and life insurance.