Background

UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub is UNDP’s advisory hub for the region tasked with the responsibility to provide policy and programmatic support to UNDP’s development activities in the Europe and CIS region.  

The Hub’s Communications team has the mandate of exploring, among other things, the use of communications and social media to increase the effectiveness of programming, opening up the organization to external views and input and engaging experts in the regional and global dialogue on key development challenges.  

We are looking for a communications intern who will provide technical expertise to boost the visibility of UNDP Eurasia online platforms and provide analytics reports to assess our online and digital performance. In addition, the intern will be tasked with supporting our website, social media presence and additional media and graphic design tasks, where needed. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will report to the Regional Communications Analyst, and will be expected to: 

  • Support the creation and uploading of content for the UNDP Regional website. 
  • Create materials for social media channels, including Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
  • Assist the communications team in the organisation of key events and communication opportunities, such as major regional conferences, discussions and report launches. 
  • Monitor the latest social media trends for improving outreach and appropriately apply that knowledge to Eurasia channels. 
  • Research and application of SEO and marketing tactics.
  • Analytics compiling and reporting.
  • Prepare weekly roundups and propose relevant contents for Eurasia channels.
  • Other tasks related to video, graphic design, web design, web content. 

Competencies

  • Strong written communication skills in production, editing, and ability to write quickly, clearly, and concisely in English.
  • Basic understanding of usability, optimizing content for the web and search. 
  • Understanding of social media channels. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team. 
  • Openness to learn and ability to receive/integrate feedback. 
  • Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations. 
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: 

  • be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or 
  • be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or 
  • have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) in a degree programme in a relevant discipline (digital marketing, web management, graphic design, social media, communication) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.  
  • Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Experience: 

  • Experience in website management, content creation, digital communications is preferred. 
  • Experience with web-based applications, basics of HTML, as well as video and photo editing and design software is preferred.
  • Experience working with social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), LinkedIn) and good understanding of web metrics and experience producing analytics reports is preferred.

Language: 

  • Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Russian and/or Turkish is an asset. 

Additional Information: 
 
Financial Issues: 
Internships within the UN system are subject to conditions the applicant must get familiar with before signing his/her internship agreement. 
Starting from January 2020 interns will receive stipends according to UN rules and regulations. 
Any further 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 arrangements for travel, accommodation and other costs. 
 
Application procedure: 
The application should contain: 

  • Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post; 
  • Current and complete CV in English; 
  • Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. 
  • Candidates who are selected must submit the following documents: 
  • Official letter from the University confirming enrolment in a graduate-level degree programme; 
  • Proof of medical and life/accident insurance valid for the location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have medical and life insurance. 

Conditions:  

  • UNDP only accepts interns for a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 6 months;  
  • UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents, illness or death during the internship;  
  • Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;  
  • Interns are responsible to arrange for their own visa and residence documents, and need to plan for these well in advance;   

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. 
More information available at: http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/rbec/en/home/about_us/jobs/internships/