Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide.

Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation.

UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN Volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.

Based in Bonn, Germany, UNV is active in around 130 countries every year. UNV, with Field Units in 86 countries, is represented worldwide through the offices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP Executive Board.

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.

Students are welcome to apply, and depending on qualifications, shall be selected for internships that relate either to the organization's strategic activities or to administrative or technical functions. They are designed to complement development-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects of multilateral technical cooperation, but also complement other international studies, international development and inclusive growth.

Internships take place at the UNDP office in Brasilia, Brazil.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main duties that the intern will be expected to carry out are:

  • Monitor UNV global news and events;

  • Gather information on themes related to UNV’s mandate and UNV Brazil’s projects;

  • Research and monitor local news about volunteerism;

  • Day-to-day support of the work of the Unit;

  • Assist UNV Brazil in the maintenance and update of the UNV information on the UNDP Brazil’s website(s);

  • Help develop graphic materials,edit audio-visual content, prepare PowerPoint and Prezi presentations, and other related activities;

  • Assist in the maintenance, development and monitoring of UNV’s presence on social networks, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube;

  • Assist in the creation of posters and visual content for online distribution and sharing;

  • Assist in planning, executing and monitoring social media campaigns;

  • Assist in the evaluation and prospection of target audiences, key stakeholders and top digital influencers in order to constantly improve UNV’s presence and positive influence on social media platforms;

  • Assist in the preparation of analytical reports and presentations containing statistics and performance of website(s) and social media accounts;

  • Support UNV in the preparation, organization and coverage of events;

  • Assist in handling telephone calls, requests from the press, the general public and UNV partners, as well as internal clients;

  • While some routine functions may be components of internship assignments, they are intended to be learning;

  • Perform other related tasks as needed.

The UNV Brazil communications strategy has been recently established and is showing good results. Nevertheless, there is a need to reinforce its activities as well as monitor results and response from the community. Social media tools are the focus of the current UNV Brazil communication strategy and this internship is expected to provide a support on expanding the awareness of UNV presence in Brazil in addition to boost the concept of volunteerism in society, encouraging people to take part in the development themselves.

The purpose of the Internship Programme is to provide an opportunity to make substantive contributions to an office’s work, 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.

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.

Competencies

  • Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment with full respect for diversity. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensibility and adaptability. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with other UN Programmes, Funds and Agencies.
  • Professionalism: Ability to manage processes, maintain accurate records, interpret/analyze a wide variety of data, and identify/resolve data discrepancies and activity problems.
  • Planning and Organizing: Demonstrated effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Commitment to continuous learning: Initiative and willingness to keep abreast of new trends in international development.
  • Technological Awareness: Proficiency in various MS Office applications and other IT applications.
  • Communication: Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Candidates must be enrolled in a graduate OR have completed at least 50% of undergraduate studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree in fields such as Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Graphic Design, International Relations, Political Science and other related.

Experience:

  • Computer skills are required.

  • They are also expected to demonstrate a keen interest in the Field of volunteerism and development.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in Portuguese is required and working knowledge in English is an asset.

Important:

  • Respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the UNDP Statement of Purpose.