Communications Intern

Port Louis

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Port Louis
Grade: Internship - Internship
Occupational Groups:
- Communication and Public Information
Closing Date: Closed

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In Mauritius, UNDP supports and supplements national efforts aimed at reducing poverty in all its forms, accelerating the transition to sustainable development, and making sure national institutions and communities are able to withstand crises and shocks. In Seychelles, the country office supports the government towards planning and implementing a strategic policy intervention in the area of environment, climate change and inclusive development. This has made UNDP-led support towards the realization of development plans such as the blue economy strategy and others.

Communications plays a significant role in highlighting the impact of the multi-country office and the contribution of its socio-economic and environmental programmes to progress across the region. In this context, the UNDP multi-country office for Mauritius and Seychelles is seeking the services of two Communications Interns to support its Communications Unit in improving and managing its visibility via digital platforms (YouTube) and social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and public relations including with the media groups (Written Press TV and Radio stations).

The selected candidates will be required to assist the Communication function in the editing of reports, photography/videography, journalistic drafting, management of social media platforms, and documentation of UNDP activities through IT tools.

The Communications Interns will assist the Communications Specialist and Assistants in ensuring that the country office is able to communicate coherently and consistently, and to promote transparency, accountability and understanding of the core of UNDP’s work. They will contribute to the implementation of the multi-country communication strategy and support team members to achieve various components of the strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Communications Interns will support the Country Office in various communications tasks to enable effective reporting, accountability, and engagement with a wide range of national, regional, and international stakeholders.

The internship will include the following tasks:

Provide Publications Support

Assist the Communications Team in the conception, production, editing and publication of UNDP’s publications, including photo and video content, artworks, media releases, newsletters, annual reports, website pages, social media pages, etc;
Assist the various Programme and Operation teams in documenting UNDP activities.

Organisation and classification of the Digital Photo Library

Organise and classify the UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles digital photo and video library according to provided guidelines and classification processes including the creation of properly labelled folders and the titling and captioning of photos or video through metadata logging.

Provide communications support for external events.

Setting-up site branding, drafting of social media posts, news articles and supporting media and other invitations;
Write press releases, news, and blogs about project activities.

Media Monitoring

Provide weekly media summaries and briefs of key events, media placements and, Government decisions on issues related to the UNDP portfolio.

Competencies

Core competencies

Achieve Results: Plans own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline;
Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver;
Learn Continuously: Open minded, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback;
Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible;
Act with Determination: Shows motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity;
Engage and Partner: Demonstrates understanding towards others, forms positive relationships;
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels;
Brand & quality management: Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level;
Campaign management: Ability to contribute to the producion and implementation of communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change;
Social Media management: Ability to promote the UNDP brand in virtual networks;
Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

The Communications Intern will report on a day-to day basis to the Communications Specialist; and with overall accountability to the UNDP Resident Representative front office and work in consultation with the communications and project teams.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Students enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme or the final academic year of a first university degree programme.
Recent university graduates within one-year of graduation; or
Students enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and who undertake the internship as part of the programme.

Experience

Area of Study in Communications, Arts, Digital media, or related fields;
Excellent writing skills in English (writing, editing and production of online material), skills in French are an added advantage;
Experience in communication events and journalism are an added advantage;
Working knowledge on communication products, writing standards and terminology of development organizations and/or private sector is desirable;
Working knowledge and skills of photography and videography equipment, editing software/tools such as Adobe Photoshop/Lightroom, MS Office, Word, Excel and Powerpoint is an advantage;
Certifications related to web and social media management are an advantage.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Scam warning

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This vacancy is now closed.