UNDP Jobs - 40908- Argande Brand Communication Intern (Turkish Nation

Argande Brand Communication Intern (Turkish Nationals Only)

Location :

Istanbul, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

23-Oct-2013

Application Deadline :

31-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

Duration is minimum 6 weeks and maximum 3 months.

Languages Required :

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Duration is minimum 6 weeks and maximum 3 months.

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Innovations for Women’s Empowerment in Southeast Anatolia (Phase 2) is being implemented by GAP Regional Development Administration in partnership with UNDP with the financial support received from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The project has two main objectives: 1) Increasing women’s individual productive and social capacities and enterprise level management skills to empower women within their communities; 2) Increasing women’s income through entrepreneurship and increased employment opportunities.

As one of the major components of the Project, a high-end regional textile brand “Argande” had been created with the support of the Project and volunteer contribution of key partners. Turkey’s most recognized fashion designers work in close cooperation with women in the region to prepare products to be sold in big stores. By making the cultural heritage visible, Argande helps the perception of the region to grow in a more positive way based on local cultural treasures, diversity and women’s productivity. (www.argande.com)

The component also has a branding externality with emphasis on strong regional features such as the regional people and human diversity and the efforts of women to integrate their cultural and moral values into global knowledge and commercial markets. The products coming out of women’s atelier are now being marketed with a visibility program that combines the creativity of Southeast women with fashion designers and their activities in Istanbul and other places in Turkey.

Current State of Affairs
A key partner of the Project, MUDO supports Argande by marketing its products in selected MUDO stores in Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa and Antalya. As of October 2013, Argande products are available in 12 sales points in Istanbul which are listed below:

• Akbati Mudo City
• Akmerkez Mudo City
• Carousel Mudo City
• Cevahir Mudo City
• Forum Istanbul Mudo City
• Garage Mudo Outlet
• Göztepe Optimum Mudo City
• Içerenköy Carrefour Mudo City
• Istinye Park Mudo City
• Maltepe Carrefour Mudo City
• Mecidiyeköy Mudo Outlet
• Starcity Mudo Outlet

While MUDO and project team plans to increase the number of sales points in the future, there is a need for regular monitoring and assistance during marketing of Argande products in MUDO stores (and other potential sales points in the future) by ensuring that brand identity is communicated with customers in a correct way.

Duties and Responsibilities

By organizing regular visits to all Argande sales points in Istanbul, the Intern is expected to deliver following duties and responsibilities:

• Monitoring and documenting visual presentation of Argande products at sales points, creating solutions for problems of presentation or mobilizing sales staff to solve problems
• Collecting comments and feedbacks of sales representatives and customers about quality and sales performances of products and communicating those to the project team
• In coordination with Argande Brand and Buying Expert, ensuring that required discounts, products transfers, positioning of visual materials and other arrangements are properly implemented at sales points
• Observing and taking note of customer behavior at sales points
• Reporting each store visit to the project team on the following day of the visit

Competencies

• Self starter with excellent communication skills
• An interest in and understanding of fashion/textiles industry, retail marketing and social businesses

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Enrollment in a degree programme in a graduate school (Fashion/textiles design, retail marketing, engineering, social sciences or any related field.)

Other Considerations:

Deadline:
Internship will be open throughout the year. However interested applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Availability: Interns can arrange their working days flexibly, depending on the work plan they jointly prepare with the project team. However, interns are expected to complete a total number of visits to Argande sales points each week.

Language and Computer Skills: Proficiency in English and Turkish; computer literacy in standard software applications.

Please send your applications using "Internship Application Form" to aysegul.bag@undp.org highlighting preferred starting date and duration.

Intra-city travel expenses of interns related to the assignment will be reimbursed upon completion of relevant documentation.

Please be aware that internships with UNDP are not paid.