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 Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), a South-South cooperation initiative currently led by Costa Rica, involves countries highly vulnerable to climate change from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. UNDP provides secretariat support to the CVF and its participating countries with assistance on a range of cooperation, communications and research activities. The CVF Support Unit leads online communications and outreach for the initiative and is seeking a graduate student with an interest in global issues, web publishing and social media to assist in increasing the project’s communications impact.
This post will provide the opportunity to assist in developing digital strategies for campaign projects that raise awareness for and engage people in the CVF’s efforts to assist countries highly affected by climate change to respond to this global challenge. This internship includes networking with the CVF and UNDP’s online community, researching and implementing digital services for campaigning and project management of multimedia content and engagement tools.

Under the supervision of the CVF Support Specialist, UNDP is recruiting an intern to carry out the following specific tasks:

• Keep up to date on new social media tools (especially Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+), best practice and how other organizations and companies are using them in order to identify new campaigning opportunities;
• Support the management of the CVF’s global presence on social media including regular updates (tweets, posts, shares etc.) and personal communications with fans and followers;
• Implement periodic updates to the CVF public website (web posts) through its content management system;
• Develop and implement an online communications strategy for recruiting and engaging supporters through social media, the web and online communications (newsletters, announcements);
• Keep up to date on global news thematically relevant to the CVF’s work and regularly disseminate such information via multiple online channels;
• Monitor and respond to supporter comments and emails regarding online content and campaigning;
• Provide research-based strategic advice on the development and use of new tools for online campaigning;
• Other online communications tasks supporting the CVF initiative to achieve greater communications impact.
   

Functional Competencies:

• An understanding of internet communications strategies, blogging best practice, online and 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.

Education:

• Current enrollment or recent completion of a graduate degree programme (development, environment or communications-related field, such as journalism, interactive telecommunications, international relations, political science, environmental studies, sociology, public or business administration, or other relevant disciplines).

Experience:

• Experience writing or participating in blogs, community sites and social media;
• Experience in developing and implementing online campaigns and/or marketing strategies, including web editing and/or development;
• Experience editing images or preparing graphics for the web and email communications;
• Experience engaging and building communities on social networks, particularly Twitter and Facebook.

Language:

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

Important note on how to apply:

• Please note that if you do not include the internship form your application will not be consideres. Complete and sign the “Application Form”

Availability:

Must be available 3-4 days a week, preferably full-time.

Eligibility:

• Current enrollment in a masters or equivalent degree in Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field;
• Only those students who will return to their studies upon completion of their internship assignments are eligible.

Conditions of the Internship:

• Applicants must complete the online form and upload a recent CV/resume;
• Complete and sign the “Application Form” which is available in the following hyperlink: www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/UNDP-Internship-Application.doc
• Additional information regarding the UNDP Internship Programme may be obtained at  http://www.undp.org/internships
• UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months.
• UNDP does not pay for internships.  The costs associated with the latter 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.

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.

Applicants who are shortlisted for the interview must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

• Official letter from the University confirming enrollment in a graduate-level degree programme;
• Copy of school transcript;
• Letter of endorsement from a faculty member who has worked with the student in the recent past and who is knowledgeable on the student’s performance;
• Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out (i.e. Geneva, Switzerland).