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

The internship programme for the Communications 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.

The purpose of the Communications Unit Internship Programme is to provide an opportunity to make substantive contributions to the office’s work, mostly by providing support to the Communications Team in its daily activities and in the accomplishment of the goals and tasks that are part of UNDP Brazil Communications 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.

Internships take place at UNDP Brazil premises, in the UN House – Sergio Vieira de Mello Complex –, in Brasilia, Brazil.

Interns shall:

(a)       Observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions, procedures and directives of UNDP notwithstanding their status as described in paragraph 6 of this policy;

(b)       Provide the receiving office with a copy of all materials prepared by them during the internship. UNDP shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regards to material that bears a direct relation to, or is made in consequence of, the services provided under the internship. At the request of UNDP, the interns shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNDP in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law;

(c)       Respect the impartiality and independence required of the United Nations and of the receiving office and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to UNDP;

(d)       Unless otherwise authorized by the receiving office, they may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any other external party any information that has become known to them by any reason of their association with the United Nations, UNDP or the receiving office, that they know or ought to have known has not been made public. They may not use any such information without the written authorization of the receiving office, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligation also apply after the end of the internship with UNDP.

(e)       Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the United Nations, UNDP, or the receiving office and will not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations or UNDP;

(f)        Comply with local laws and customs.

Third-party claims

UNDP is not responsible for any claims by any parties where the loss of or damage to their property, death or personal injury was caused by the actions or omission of action by the interns during their internship.

Remuneration, insurance and interns’ expenses

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence through private sources.

Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern.

Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For applicants which are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:

(a)       Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;

(b)       Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.

UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship.

UNDP’s expenses

Costs incurred by interns, including undertaking official travel at the request of UNDP, in the discharge of the activities related to the internship shall be reimbursed by UNDP on the same basis as costs incurred by staff members or costs reimbursed to staff members, including payment of daily subsistence allowance, as applicable.

Termination

The internship can be terminated by either UNDP or the intern for any reason upon giving two weeks’ notice.

Subsequent Employment

There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Communications Coordinator, the intern will be responsible for the following activities:

• Assist the Communications Team in the maintenance and update of UNDP Brazil’s website(s);
• Translate documents, presentations, news articles and press releases into English-Portuguese (and vice-versa) and Spanish-Portuguese (and vice-versa);
• Support in writing communications materials;
• Write stories, reports, press releases and minutes of meetings.
• Support the preparation of social media contents, like texts and cards;
• Assist in creating and implementing social media strategy;
• Explore new online and social media tools and implement best practices;
• Assist in the preparation of analytical reports and presentations containing statistics and performance of website(s) and social media accounts managed by the Communications Unit;
• Assist in the creation or update of design and layout of communication materials for online media including arts, graphics and infographics for social media accounts, website and intranet;
• Assist with video production and audio projects, including recording, capturing/importing media, editing footage and sound files, titling, adding music/voice-over/sfx, media management and archiving project media;
• Prepare daily news clipping on stories of the interest of UNDP and its partners;
• Gather information on themes related to UNDP’s mandate and UNDP Brazil’s projects;
• Support the Communications Team in the preparation, organization and coverage of events;
• Support the Communications Team with photos of events and UNDP executives;
• Assist in the management and update of mailing lists used by the Communications Unit;
• Assist in handling telephone calls, requests from the press, the general public and UNDP partners, as well as internal clients;
• Perform other related tasks as requested.

• 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. 
• Professionalism: Ability to manage processes, maintain accurate records, interpret/analyze a wide variety of data, and identify/resolve 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 development issues. 
• 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.

Education:

• Candidates must be involved in a course of study in fields such as Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Design and all other related fields.
• Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
  • (a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
  • (b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
  • (c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Computer skills are required;
• They are also expected to demonstrate a keen interest in the field of development and on UNDP’s mandate areas;
• Ability to work with Adobe Creative Suite, and related software, particularly InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere;
• Knowledge of photojournalism.

Language:

• Portuguese must be the candidate’s mother tongue.
• Fluency in English is also required.
• Knowledge of Spanish is asset. 

Application:

- Updated Résumé/Curriculum Vitae in Portuguese or English.

- Cover letter in English explaining how your experience can contribute to the work of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Brazil (max. 500 words), based on the activities described in this Term of Reference. For more information on the work of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, please, visit the UN System in Brazil website and the UN Development Group website.

Diversity:

The UN is committed to achieve workforce diversity in terms of gender, race and culture. Individuals from minority groups including African decedent, LGBTI, indigenous people and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

 >>> IMPORTANT NOTICE TO APPLICANTS <<<

Status

• Interns are not considered staff members. During the internship with UNDP, interns shall be subject to the Regulations Governing the Status, Basic Rights and Duties of Officials other than Secretariat Officials, and Experts on Mission (ST/SGB/2002/9).
• Interns shall not be sought or engaged as substitutes for staff and do not encumber authorized posts.
• Interns shall not represent UNDP in any official capacity or commit resources on its behalf.
• Interns shall not apply for or be appointed to any position during the period of their internship. 
• The internship period shall not be foreshortened for the purposes of allowing an intern to apply for a position.

Remuneration, insurance and interns’ expenses

Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern, who will have to obtain financing for subsistence through private sources.

Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNDP and must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship. UNDP will not reimburse the medical insurance of the intern. Any costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship assignment will be the responsibility of the intern. 

Applicants for internships must show proof of valid medical insurance for the duty station in which they will intern. For applicants which are neither nationals or residents of the duty station, the insurance must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:

(a)       Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment;

(b)       Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence.

UNDP accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship. 

UNDP’s expenses

Costs incurred by interns, including undertaking official travel at the request of UNDP, in the discharge of the activities related to the internship shall be reimbursed by UNDP on the same basis as costs incurred by staff members or costs reimbursed to staff members, including payment of daily subsistence allowance, as applicable.

Subsequent Employment

There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship.