Antecedentes

The UNDP country office in South Africa supports the government of South Africa in achieving its development goals outlined in the National Development Plan 2030 as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UNDP country office’s activities are guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2020 -2025), the UNDP Strategic Plan (2018-2021), and the UNDP South Africa Country Programme Document (2020-2025). UNDP’s country programmes seek to contribute to South Africa’s social and economic transformational aspirations from policy support to implementation. UNDP brings knowledge of global best practices to South Africa through flagship knowledge reports including the Human Development Reports. 

 

Under the guidance of the Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Communications Analyst, the intern will support UNDP’s communications strategy to increase UNDP South Africa’s visibility, strengthen media and stakeholder relations, and contribute towards UNDP’s knowledge management system. Communication is central if UNDP is to effectively carry out its duties with and among its stakeholders. To this end, the communication unit is looking to bring onboard a full-time, home-based intern who is interested in gaining experience and providing support to this work.

 

Deberes y responsabilidades

Summary of Key Functions:

  1. Create communications products towards making UNDP South Africa a household name in South Africa, supporting creation of pitches, press releases, op-ed posts, blog posts, social media content, infographics, videos, and/or radio, or podcast, content.
  2. Conduct an analysis of the state of the media industry in South Africa and in the region, investigating new ways in which the industry operates and how different stakeholders consume content towards providing recommendations on how UNDP can best align itself in this regard.

Provide inputs to ongoing communications work within UNDP South Africa, including strategies, guidance notes, knowledge products, and other outputs.

Key results expected

  1. Creation of communications products to communicate the good work of UNDP South Africa to identified stakeholders, across written content (press releases, blog posts, social media, and op-ed pieces) and/or graphic and audio/visual content (infographics, video, radio/podcasts).
  2. Produce a short, written report on the media industry in South Africa with recommendations for UNDP
  3. Draft briefing packages and undertake a wide range of other writing assignments including blogs, talking points and key messages related to UNDP communication and advocacy campaigns and high-profile events organized by UNDP.
  4. Create a regional media list with recommended entry-points for UNDP towards building a profile in the SADC region.

The key results of the post are to expose and strengthen the intern’s awareness and capacity in the following:

  1. Development context of the international community’s communications efforts
  2. Current strategies and products used to communicate development results
  3. Strategic communications and knowledge management skills
  4. Global perspective - successful candidate will work with peers from Havard University and other UNDP Country Offices

 

 

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

  • Interest and familiarity with development issues including sustainable development
  • Ability to work independently, online, and as a team member;
  • Sensitivity to political, cultural and national differences and adaptability to multicultural environments.
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP

 

Functional Competencies:

  • Excellent written and spoken English skills;
  • Very strong background in communications content production, either written content (press releases, blog posts, social media, and op-ed pieces) or visual content (infographics, video, radio/podcasts), or both
  • Strong understanding of communications theory and practice
  • Proficiency in the use of digital and social media platforms;
  • Proficiency in use of design packages such as adobe
  • Excellent computer literacy in standard software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Excellent computer literacy in graphic design, video, and/or audio production software preferred
  • Good research and analytical skills;
  • Good organisational skills;
  • Good inter-personal skills.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:
In process of, or has completed, at least a first Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or equivalent.  Masters level preferred.
 

Experience:
No work experience necessary but must be eager and proactive.  Experience in the creation of communications content (written and/or digital) required. Very strong aptitude in current digital media technologies, including social media platforms, preferred.  Understanding and familiarity with the SDGs and knowledge management systems. 

Computer Skills:
Very good 

Language Requirements:
English

Intern requirements:

  • UNDP interns receive payment of a monthly stipend based on the rate established by the duty station
  • UNDP interns accrue leave at a rate of 1.5 days per month;
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
  • Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
  • Interns must provide proof of enrolment in a health insurance plan;
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
  • Interns are expected to work full time but flexibility is allowed for education programmes;
  • Applicants should indicate which months they are available part- and/or full time and when they complete their studies (if still enrolled);
  • Interns need to make own arrangements for travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.