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.

At UNDP, external and internal communication -- nationally, regionally and globally -- is critical to achieving both development results and business objectives. Skillful communication broadens the impacts of new policies, helps governance reforms take root, and attracts and fosters strong partnerships.

The Communications Unit at UNDP Geneva Office seeks to enlist a part-time internship to support the recently launched UNDP storytelling contest on Climate change.

The intern will assist the Communication Specialist in managing the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Communication Specialist, the intern will specifically be responsible for the following:

Information management:

  • Log questions from participants, prepare answers and develop a FAQ;
  • Send, on a regular basis, relevant information on climate change to participants;
  • Log and categorize entries;
  • Support the selection panel by managing the database of judges, articles and scores;
  • Log data and relevant information for reporting purpose and support the development of the partners’ report.

Website:

  • Learn UNDP content management system and update the storytelling contest section;
  • Publish entries as soon as cleared by mentors.

Social Media:

  • Monitor the hashtag #Voices2 Paris;
  • Promote the contest and the articles produced through Twitter and Facebook;
  • Liaise with partners and supporters to maximize articles outreach on social media;
  • Monitor mentions for retweeting, questions and negative comments, and flag them to the Communication Specialist.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

  • Self-starter, organized, detail oriented;
  • A demonstrated ability to write polished, creative and compelling stories and other content;
  • Able to multitask and balance multiple responsibilities.

Core Competencies:

  • Demonstrate/Safeguard ethics and integrity;
  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
  • Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimum supervision;
  • Ability to work effectively in a team and in an international environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Must be enrolled in the final year of a Masters degree programme.

Experience:

  • Student or recent graduate in journalism, international relations or public relations;
  • Proficient in using new technologies, web-based platforms (CMS) and social media networks;
  • Familiar with international development/relations.

Languages:

  • Fluent in English (written and spoken) is required;
  • Proficiency in French, Spanish, Chinese or Arabi, a significant asset.

Conditions:

  • UNDP will not pay for the internship; all the expenses connected with it will be borne by the intern.
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.  The Intern must provide proof of enrolment in a health insurance plan;
  • All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution
  • The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship or for six months immediately following the expiration date of internship;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.

Once the candidate has been selected, the following additional documents need to be submitted:

  • Letter of enrolment from school or proof of (Master's programme) graduation if within less than one year;
  • Scanned visa document/scanned passport document if no visa is required;
  • Scanned medical insurance document.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.