Communications Intern

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

 ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

The SDG Lab is a multi-stakeholder initiative that accelerates the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It enables the diverse ecosystem of SDG actors in Geneva and beyond to contribute towards SDG targets at country level through innovative collaboration, partnerships, methods and models that leverage expertise and knowledge into policy, practice and action.

The SDG Lab creates the opportunity and space for multi-stakeholder groups to innovate and experiment with new approaches, initiatives and actions that accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The Lab does not just catalyze action, it actively supports collaborative efforts in order to increase success rates.

The internship is a learning and working opportunity that targets fresh graduates. The intern will assist the SDG Lab team, the senior management team in particular. The intern will be exposed to practical learning and working experiences that foster development of his /her path. The Intern will work full time and follow the same working hours as UNOPS employees.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Communications Adviser, the intern will provide support by: 

• Assist in managing the network of actors in Geneva working on SDG implementation through contact management, stakeholder mapping and related activities.

• Support the development of SDG Lab communications activities (e.g. website, social media, presentations, visual materials, etc).  

• Assist in supporting SDG Lab outreach activities such as preparing event documentation and materials, taking photographs and helping with event set up and tear down.

• Support the compilation of background research on SDG implementation topics as assigned by the SDG Lab team.

• Assist in scoping and developing SDG Lab programmes focused on engaging the community of SDG-related actors in Geneva.

• Support meeting coverage by attending key meetings (e.g. bilaterals and events) related to the SDG Lab including note-taking and recording action items for follow up.

• Other duties as required and determined by the SDG Lab team.

• All applicants must be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.

• Professional working experience is not required for this internship, but previous working experience (including volunteering or extracurricular involvement) in writing, communications, using social media tools and MS Office would be a strong asset. 

• Previous involvement with and exposure to public relations, press relations, UN system and international affairs would be an asset.

• Fluency in written and oral English required.
• Working knowledge of other UN languages (especially French) is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.