UNV Jobs - 34600- Communication Internship with the United Nations V

Communication Internship with the United Nations Volunteers Office in New York

Advertised on behalf of

UNV

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

14-Jan-2013

Application Deadline :

04-Jan-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 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

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming and mobilizing volunteers.

UNV is administered by and aligned with the strategic goals of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), including those relating to support to the United Nations System as a whole. It operates amidst growing recognition that achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will require the ingenuity, solidarity, and creativity of millions of ordinary people through voluntary action. As part of those, every year more than 7300 UN Volunteers, representing 160 different nationalities, are active participants in the programmes of the United Nations itself and almost all United Nations Funds, Programmes and Specialized Agencies in more than 130 countries.

UNV is headquartered in Bonn, Germany and has approximately 150 staff positions – the majority in Bonn with some dozen positions in different UN peacekeeping missions, and other Headquarters locations (e.g. New York and Tokyo). In the field, UNV has country office teams, composed of UNV Programme Officers (UNV volunteers) and Country Office Assistants, in many of the UNDP country offices.

The major organizational groups within UNV are:

The Office of the Executive Coordinator (OEC);
The Evaluation Unit;
The Corporate Planning and Performance Unit;
The Volunteer Programme and Management Group (VPMG) comprising the Peace and Development Divisions; Volunteer Recruitment Resources Section (VRRS); Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation Section (VKIS); supported by a Quality Assurance Unit;
The Partnerships and Communications Division (PCD); and
The Management Services Division (MSD) comprising sections for Information Support Services, Finance, Human Resources, as well as Units for Common Services and Administration.

The UNV Office in New York is part of the Partnerships and Communications Division (PCD) of UNV and is the focal point for strengthening UNV’s relationship with UNDP/HQ and for partnership building with locally-based UN Agencies and Diplomatic missions. Its focus is on maintaining and strengthening relations with UNDP headquarters, UN Secretariat headquarters and UN system agencies; representing UNV in key New York-based forums and taskforces; liaising with Bonn, Germany. The internship will require interaction with these partners primarily and others that will be identified, as part of the office’s responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNV is seeking a graduate student with an interest in global issues to assist in building our communication strategy for outreach efforts internally and externally.

This internship includes networking with UNV’s online community, researching and implementing digital services for campaigning and project management of multimedia content and engagement tools. Candidates will have the opportunity to develop from scratch the communications strategy for the UNV Office of NY.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the UNV Office in New York, the Intern will carry out the tasks described below. Particular emphasis will be given to advocating for UNV’s work in support of the broader UN development agenda, and supporting outreach and communication activities to relevant stakeholders and partners in the UN system.

The tasks are therefore as following:

Act as the focal point for the drafting, editing and proofreading of the UNV ONY weekly report.
Prepare an internal newsletter aimed at informing our 150 staff in Bonn and our 7,000+ volunteers in the field about new developments at the UN HQ in NY.
Support the management of UNV’s global presence on social media including regular updates and personal communications with fans and followers (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin, Pininterest and Instagram).
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
Advocate for UNV’s role in the promotion of volunteerism in peace and development.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Strong interpersonal, communication/presentation and negotiation skills
Highly organized and independent/motivated
Research ability; strategic, analytical and drafting abilities
Knowledge of volunteering issues and their link to social development, an asset
Volunteer experience, an asset
Experience writing or participating in blogs, community sites and social media
An understanding of communications strategies, blogging best practice, social media trends, techniques and information architecture
Experience in developing and implementing online campaigns and/or marketing strategies
Skills to build and maintain relationships with bloggers and key online outlets
Experience editing images or preparing graphics for the web and email communications
Experience engaging and building communities on social networks, particularly Twitter and Facebook
An interest in and understanding of online campaign methods and the contribution campaign work can make to achieving change.
Ideally, experience with the use of mobile messaging tools to engage supporters

Required Skills and Experience

Eligibility:

Currently enrolled in a Master’s / postgraduate university programme in Communication, Journalism, Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, or related fields.

Languages:

English, with working knowledge of at least one other UN language desirable

Note:

UNDP Conditions of Service for interns (http://www.undp.org/internships/) apply for interns working for UNV) apply for interns working for UNV

The Internship Programme operates on a non-remunerative basis. Costs and arrangements for travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern.

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

UNV accepts no responsibility for the intern’s medical insurance or for costs arising from illness during the internship. Interns are required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and called for a motivational interview that will take place on an ongoing basis.

The description below refers to an internship opportunity for 6 months. Please indicate your concrete availability.