Intern- Communications

Background

The UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) team in New York provides overall strategic oversight, guidance and quality assurance, management support and broader regional analysis, including global issues.

The UNDP RBA Partnerships and Communications Team (PACT) is seeking a highly qualified graduate student to engage as an RBA PACT Intern to be in charge of website management. The intern will assist by updating the RBA websites in French and in English daily as well as support the Communications team in developing other digital content. The intern will also be expected to support the implementation of regular impact monitoring and web analytics. The intern will be expected to perform other complementary duties as required by the Supervisor.

The intern will be supervised and report to the RBA Strategic Communications Specialist. The internship is for a maximum of 6 months. The internship is a full-time internship and is not paid (however stipend is provided). Interns work five days per week (35 hours).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Intern will be responsible for:

• Reviewing and maintaining UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa websites in English and in French
• Upload various types of content daily
• Translate content from English to French and from French to English to harmonize content on both platforms
• Play an active role in sharing new content with staff and partners
• Work closely with the Social Media Specialist and the Graphic Designer to produce cutting edge content to highlight campaigns, events, or reports
• With support from the graphic designer, develop basic infographics to illustrate web content
• Support knowledge management efforts and contribute to the management of visual data banks
• Monitors usage and impact, using analytics, and monitors Country Offices and other Regional websites to cross-post content and increase communication impact

Expected Deliverables

• New content is to be uploaded on RBA websites daily
• Draft articles are edited and shared with the Strategic Communications Specialist
• Content is translated from English to French and from French to English and uploaded on the websites
• All uploaded content is shared every day with the rest of the Communications Team, and with other colleagues and partners whenever needed
• Produced web and general communication content in support of campaigns, events, and RBA communication priorities
• Identified new partnership opportunities for the RBA Communications Team in line with strategic priorities
• Provided advice or support, whenever needed, to Country Offices in managing their websites or producing content for the web and digital platforms

Competencies

General:

• Able to take initiative and work independently, with minimum supervision,
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty,
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, communication and administrative skills,
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks, with tight deadlines,
• Commitment to the UNDP vision, mission, and strategic goals.

Communication Skills:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively,
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately,
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication,
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals,
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others,
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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 in Economics, African Studies, History, Social Science, International Development, Development Studies, or other relevant fields),
• Have graduated with a university degree (as described above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Have demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• Preferably some relevant experience in communications, international development or related area; Knowledge of the UN system is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical skills are required and experience designing infographics is an advantage.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required,
• Fluency in oral and written French is also required for this internship.

Intern conditions:

• UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship,
• UNDP offers a modest monthly stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station,
• All other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government, or institution,
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship,
• The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed,
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship,
• The intern must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan,
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.