The Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP) of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) maintains a traineeship programme for students/recent graduates interested in gaining professional experience in a multicultural environment and enhancing their understanding of the United Nations system.
MDP designs and delivers the Institute’s Core Diplomatic Training (CDT), consisting primarily of orientation briefings and short, intensive skills development workshops which benefit cumulatively some 2,500 diplomats yearly at the United Nations Headquarters and other venues where the Organization maintains a significant presence.
Parallel to CDT, MDP develops and delivers training activities at country and regional levels in close partnership with governments, universities and selected international organizations. MDP’s activities also include e-Learning courses; special projects, advisory services related to the curriculum development of diplomatic academies; and the development of other training tools and publications. MDP also partners with universities around the world to offer high-quality master’s programmes in a variety of areas related to multilateral diplomacy and international law. These programmes target government officials involved in bilateral and multilateral negotiations, students and other stakeholders.
In line with the Institute’s efforts to improve its training activities and special events, the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme is enhancing its outreach and communication strategy and products.
MDP welcomes qualified candidates interested in working for a period of four to six months, at UNITAR headquarters in Geneva. The placement is on an unpaid basis, but a monthly lump-sum of 900 CHF will be provided towards transportation and miscellaneous costs.
In line with the Institute’s efforts to improve its training activities, the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme is developing an unprecedented amount of online and face-to-face activities offered to the diplomatic community based in Geneva, New York and elsewhere.
The Programme also routinely organizes tailor-made activities upon request of donors and partners. These activities target government officials involved in bilateral and multilateral negotiations, staff of non-governmental organizations, as well as students and younger generations.
Under the supervision of the Programme Officer of UNITAR’s Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP), the trainee will support with the visual development, design, and production of UNITAR’s external communication and outreach materials. The role has a strong focus on visual storytelling, brand consistency, and multimedia content creation across digital platforms.
Typical tasks may include:
Visual Design & Brand Implementation
- Contribute to the design and adapt visual communication materials such as brochures, flyers, social media assets (organic and paid), banners, and presentation materials in line with UNITAR’s branding guidelines;
- Support the implementation of MDP’s communication campaigns, ensuring consistency across platforms and formats;
- Assist in the development of visual templates and layouts for MDP’s communication products.
Digital Platforms & Web Content
- Update and visually optimise landing pages and website pages (layout, visuals, structure);
- Support the preparation and visual formatting of mass mailings and newsletters using Brevo.
Multimedia & Visual Storytelling
- Edit and subtitle short videos for UNITAR’s social media channels, website, and training courses using tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Canva;
- Take photographs and record short videos during events, trainings, and workshops;
- Assist with the selection, editing, and archiving of visual content.
Campaign Planning & Audience Engagement
- Support the development of visual communication plans and schedules for promoting training programmes, events, and initiatives;
- Contribute visual ideas and concepts to strengthen outreach and engagement with target audiences (e.g. students, diplomats, partners).
The tasks listed above may evolve during the traineeship to reflect programme priorities and communication needs.
After the assignment, the trainee should be able to:
- Master UNITAR’s branding guidelines;
- Develop a professional rapport with UNITAR and United Nations staff;
- Propose ways to further UNITAR’s mission;
- Work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment on a variety of projects simultaneously;
- Translate strategic vision into actionable objectives;
- Work in a team and take initiative.
Start date: December 2026 - January 2027. Exact date to be agreed upon with the selected candidate.
Duration: Four to six months. The traineeship programme is normally on a full-time basis and trainees are expected to work five days a week. Requests for part-time arrangements are, at times, possible, and should be agreed before the start of the traineeship.
The Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP) of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) maintains a traineeship programme for students/recent graduates interested in gaining professional experience in a multicultural environment and enhancing their understanding of the United Nations system.
MDP designs and delivers the Institute’s Core Diplomatic Training (CDT), consisting primarily of orientation briefings and short, intensive skills development workshops which benefit cumulatively some 2,500 diplomats yearly at the United Nations Headquarters and other venues where the Organization maintains a significant presence.
Parallel to CDT, MDP develops and delivers training activities at country and regional levels in close partnership with governments, universities and selected international organizations. MDP’s activities also include e-Learning courses; special projects, advisory services related to the curriculum development of diplomatic academies; and the development of other training tools and publications. MDP also partners with universities around the world to offer high-quality master’s programmes in a variety of areas related to multilateral diplomacy and international law. These programmes target government officials involved in bilateral and multilateral negotiations, students and other stakeholders.
In line with the Institute’s efforts to improve its training activities and special events, the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme is enhancing its outreach and communication strategy and products.
MDP welcomes qualified candidates interested in working for a period of four to six months, at UNITAR headquarters in Geneva. The placement is on an unpaid basis, but a monthly lump-sum of 900 CHF will be provided towards transportation and miscellaneous costs.
In line with the Institute’s efforts to improve its training activities, the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme is developing an unprecedented amount of online and face-to-face activities offered to the diplomatic community based in Geneva, New York and elsewhere.
The Programme also routinely organizes tailor-made activities upon request of donors and partners. These activities target government officials involved in bilateral and multilateral negotiations, staff of non-governmental organizations, as well as students and younger generations.
Under the supervision of the Programme Officer of UNITAR’s Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP), the trainee will support with the visual development, design, and production of UNITAR’s external communication and outreach materials. The role has a strong focus on visual storytelling, brand consistency, and multimedia content creation across digital platforms.
Typical tasks may include:
Visual Design & Brand Implementation
- Contribute to the design and adapt visual communication materials such as brochures, flyers, social media assets (organic and paid), banners, and presentation materials in line with UNITAR’s branding guidelines;
- Support the implementation of MDP’s communication campaigns, ensuring consistency across platforms and formats;
- Assist in the development of visual templates and layouts for MDP’s communication products.
Digital Platforms & Web Content
- Update and visually optimise landing pages and website pages (layout, visuals, structure);
- Support the preparation and visual formatting of mass mailings and newsletters using Brevo.
Multimedia & Visual Storytelling
- Edit and subtitle short videos for UNITAR’s social media channels, website, and training courses using tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Canva;
- Take photographs and record short videos during events, trainings, and workshops;
- Assist with the selection, editing, and archiving of visual content.
Campaign Planning & Audience Engagement
- Support the development of visual communication plans and schedules for promoting training programmes, events, and initiatives;
- Contribute visual ideas and concepts to strengthen outreach and engagement with target audiences (e.g. students, diplomats, partners).
The tasks listed above may evolve during the traineeship to reflect programme priorities and communication needs.
After the assignment, the trainee should be able to:
- Master UNITAR’s branding guidelines;
- Develop a professional rapport with UNITAR and United Nations staff;
- Propose ways to further UNITAR’s mission;
- Work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment on a variety of projects simultaneously;
- Translate strategic vision into actionable objectives;
- Work in a team and take initiative.
Start date: December 2026 - January 2027. Exact date to be agreed upon with the selected candidate.
Duration: Four to six months. The traineeship programme is normally on a full-time basis and trainees are expected to work five days a week. Requests for part-time arrangements are, at times, possible, and should be agreed before the start of the traineeship.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate/postgraduate degree (within either communication, graphic design, visual arts, multimedia design, or a related field) or be a recent graduate of the aforementioned (if selected, they must commence the traineeship within two years of graduation).
Candidates should also have:
- A demonstrated interest in the United Nations and UNITAR, specifically
- A strong interest in communications and outreach activities
- The ability to write in a clear and concise manner
- Analytical and research skills
- The ability to work collaboratively as well as independently
- The ability to work in a multi-cultural, fast-paced environment
- A high level of individual responsibility, commitment and initiative
- The ability to prioritize and manage multiple project deadlines simultaneously
- An exceptional attention to detail (critical)
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Strong communication skills
- A strong sense of storytelling is a plus
- An interest in developing strong visual storytelling skills within an international institutional context
Additional Skills: Knowledge of Graphic Design; Adobe CreativeSuite; Adobe Premiere Pro/Video editing; Canva, Brevo, Notion; or related programmes is an advantage.
Submission of a portfolio or samples of previous visual or communication work is strongly recommended.
LANGUAGES
Excellent knowledge in both oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN working languages (especially French) is an advantage.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate/postgraduate degree (within either communication, graphic design, visual arts, multimedia design, or a related field) or be a recent graduate of the aforementioned (if selected, they must commence the traineeship within two years of graduation).
Candidates should also have:
- A demonstrated interest in the United Nations and UNITAR, specifically
- A strong interest in communications and outreach activities
- The ability to write in a clear and concise manner
- Analytical and research skills
- The ability to work collaboratively as well as independently
- The ability to work in a multi-cultural, fast-paced environment
- A high level of individual responsibility, commitment and initiative
- The ability to prioritize and manage multiple project deadlines simultaneously
- An exceptional attention to detail (critical)
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Strong communication skills
- A strong sense of storytelling is a plus
- An interest in developing strong visual storytelling skills within an international institutional context
Additional Skills: Knowledge of Graphic Design; Adobe CreativeSuite; Adobe Premiere Pro/Video editing; Canva, Brevo, Notion; or related programmes is an advantage.
Submission of a portfolio or samples of previous visual or communication work is strongly recommended.
LANGUAGES
Excellent knowledge in both oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN working languages (especially French) is an advantage.
Please submit your application along with a motivation letter as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
Due to the high number of expected applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.