Communications Intern

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organizations.

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the activities for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is an initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, which responds to a broad consensus across nations, cultures and religions that all societies are interdependent, bound together in their development and security, and in their environmental, economic and financial well-being. The Alliance seeks to forge collective political will and mobilize concerted action at the institutional and civil society levels to overcome prejudice, misperceptions and polarization that militate against such a consensus. UNAOC hopes to contribute to a coalescing global movement which, reflecting the will of the vast majority of people, rejects extremism in any society. 

The complex, demanding dialogue of civilizations, cultures, and religions is necessary, possible, and fruitful. It is a critical tool against isolation, mistrust, and confrontation and it is also the most powerful incentive for understanding, and tolerance. History has shown that dialogue is not a simple process, but that if we fail to teach and cultivate it, the situation can give way to a monologue or to mutism, which is conducive to conflict and violent extremism. 

UNAOC was created to serve as a soft-power political tool of the United Nations Secretary-General for conflict prevention and conflict resolution. It is a coalition against extremist forces; a movement to advance mutual respect for cultures, traditions and religious beliefs, and a platform to bridge divides and overcome prejudice, misconceptions, misperceptions, and polarization. UNAOC was intended to promote collective action in society as a means of addressing the threats that emerge from the hostile perceptions that foment violence, overcoming cultural and social barriers, reducing tensions and improving relations between societies and communities with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, and combating violent extremism.

The High-Level Group’s report, published on 13 November 2006, put forth recommendations that became the guiding principles for the implementation of the Alliance. In particular, it identified four priority areas of action for the Alliance of Civilizations, which all play a critical role in reducing cross-cultural tensions and building bridges between communities, and to which the Alliance of Civilizations should bring a multidisciplinary and multi-perspective approach: Youth, Education, Media, and Migration.

Specific intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Contribute to the drafting and updating of social media materials and digital products
• Assist with conceptualizing campaigns and social media activations
• Assist with publishing articles, press releases, photos, graphics and multimedia elements on the UNAOC website, social media networks and other digital platforms
• Support the UNAOC social media strategy by providing recommendations to increase higher engagement, gain more followers and improve overall reach
• Assist with design, editing, and production of graphic materials to support online and offline communications
• Support communications projects and campaigns as they arise, including conducting research and summarizing relevant information
• Provide general administrative support including taking meeting minutes, setting up meetings and conference calls, etc.
• Assist with research in support of UNAOC communications strategy
• Assist with event planning and production
• Perform ad hoc tasks for all communications-related deliverables

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Under the direct supervision of the Web and Multimedia Communications Specialist:

• Satisfactory delivery of project-related tasks within predetermined deadlines
• Meet projected outputs as outlined by the supervisor
• Production of multimedia materials as requested by the supervisor
• Provision of support for project-related deliverables
• Satisfactory delivery of communications support for projects, events, meetings, advocacies, and other UNAOC activities
• Regular meetings with supervisor to ensure timely completion of assignments
• Timely completion of data migration tasks, ensuring that all files are migrated successfully
• Contribute to amplifying UNAOC activities online.
• Contribute to overall increase in reach, engagement and overall follower count across all major platforms.
• Contribute to all UNAOC visibility efforts and strengthen the UNAOC digital presence.

• All applicants must be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters or PhD. (or the equivalent) in the area of Journalism, Communication, International Relations, Multimedia, or Information Technology or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.

General:

• A good understanding of the UN system and commitment to the UN mission
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work independently on a number of separate, simultaneous tasks
• Proven ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender and geographical balance.
• Proven quick and thorough research and data analysis
• Proficiency in drawing relevant information from technical content
• Experience in event planning

Communications:

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, and experience in developing different types of content for different audiences and mediums
• Experience with social media. Candidates must submit examples of successful social media campaigns they played a role in.
• Full command of Microsoft Office suite of products

Multimedia: 

• Familiarity with Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop. Proficiency in Adobe Premiere, Adobe Lightroom and/or Adobe After Effects would be a plus
• Experience with updating Wordpress-powered websites is necessary. Experience with other Content Management Systems (e.g. Drupal) would be a bonus
• Basic HTML knowledge would be an asset.
• Knowledge of photo and video production with DSLR cameras, and ability to create impactful video content for social media would be a plus.

Language:

Contract type: Internship Contract level: Intern 
Internship duration: (October 2022 - December 2022) with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and necessity of services


This internship is not designed to lead to a staff position with UNOPS. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of the internship.

Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend  from UNOPS provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions. 

For more details about UNOPS internships please follow this link: 
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Internships-and-volunteering.aspx

• 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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• 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.  
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• 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.

Background Information - Sustainable Development Cluster 

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.