Background
The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP Brazil, offers a selected group of outstanding graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to the opportunity to work in a successful multi-cultural international organization.

The internship programme for the recently-created Communication Unit is designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation, international studies, international development and inclusive growth.

Objectives
The purpose of the Communication Unit Internship Programme is to provide an opportunity to make substantive contributions to the office’s work, mostly by providing support to the Communication Team in its daily activities and in the accomplishment of the goals and tasks that are part of the Country Office Communication Strategy. This internship opportunity does not lead to further employment with UNDP. Its goal is to offer the intern the opportunity to learn, gather experiences and complement his/her studies.
Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of the internship. Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship. Should an offer of employment be envisaged, a 3-month break, from the end of the internship, must be respected.

Venue
Internships take place at the UNDP Country Office, in Brasilia, Brazil.


Status
Interns are not staff members. Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts. Interns may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.


Length
Internship assignments vary in length according to the availability and academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of UNDP and are available on a part-time and full-time basis throughout the year, depending on the availability of meaningful assignments and the needs and capacity of offices to receive and supervise interns. However, for 2012 interns at UNDP Brazil Office will be between six months and one year.


Financial Issues
Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. The costs associated with the internship 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 etc.
All costs connected with an intern's participation in the Programme must be borne by:
• the nominating institution, related institution or government, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students;
• the student, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence and make his/her own arrangements for travel (including to and from the office), visas, accommodation, etc.


Insurance
UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship. As interns are not covered under any insurance, including MAIP, they should not travel to hazardous locations in the course of their internship with UNDP.
Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work. It must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship which:
• requires transportation to the Home Country or Country of Residence for further treatment; or
• results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the Home Country, or Country of Residence.

Accountability

Unsatisfactory performance or failure to conform to the standards of conduct set out above may lead to termination of the internship, for cause, at the initiative of UNDP. A two-week notice shall be given in such cases.
Any serious breach of the duties and obligations which, in the view of the Administrator, would justify separation before the end of the notice period.

The intern will reimburse UNDP for financial loss or for damage to UNDP-owned equipment or property caused by him/her, if such loss or damage:
• occurred outside the performance of services with UNDP; or
• arose or resulted from gross negligence or wilful misconduct or violation or reckless disregard of applicable rules and policies by the interns.

Interns are selected on a competitive basis. The following minimum qualifications are required:

-Candidates must be enrolled in a graduate ( of one of the following areas: Communications, Journalism or International Relations at the time of application and during the internship (if a candidate is graduating before the internship period begins, they are no longer eligible); OR have completed at least 50% of undergraduate studies in these areas at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree, if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages or;

- have completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree, if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages;

- not have graduated prior to the beginning of the internship.

Professional experience in an international organization will be an advantage.

Fluency in Portuguese and working knowledge in English.

Computer skills.

They are also expected to demonstrate a keen interest in the field of development and on UNDP mandate areas.
Portuguese must be the candidate’s mother tongue. Working knowledge of Spanish is an asset.

An interest in global mobility; adaptability to varied physical and other environments; a desire to work with and gain the confidence and respect of people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.
Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.


Supervision
UNDP makes every effort to maintain the highest standards with regards to the supervision, orientation and training of interns, in order to make their time at UNDP a valuable experience. Offices are responsible for providing appropriate supervision and guidance. A supervisor must be identified for the period of the internship.

Further Career Opportunities

The purpose of internships is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but, as mentioned, to complement an intern's studies. However, a number of interns, having completed their studies and met the necessary requirements, have gone on to further assignments with the UNDP or elsewhere in the United Nations system.

Subsequent Employment
The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

Should an offer of employment be envisaged, a 3-month break, from the end of the internship, must be respected. Interns cannot apply for posts during the period of internship.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS:

Click "Apply Now". After filling the fields and clicking in "Submit Application", you MUST attach in the next page the following required documents:

- Updated Résumé /CV (in Portuguese)

Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of applications cannot be acknowledged individually. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

UN is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, women, afro-descendants and persons with disabilities are specially encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.