Communications Intern

Contract

This is a Internship contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about Internship contracts.

Background

UNDP works to support governments achieve the Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on six signature solutions: eradication of poverty, accountable and inclusive governance, resilience, nature-based development solutions, clean and affordable energy and gender equality. Read more here: www.undp.org and https://www1.undp.org/content/brussels/en/home.html.

The OACPS-EU Development Minerals Programme is a capacity building programme that aims to build the profile, and improve the management, of Development Minerals. The programme is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), financed by the European Union and UNDP, and implemented by UNDP.

The mining of Development Minerals has important implications for sustainable development. Often referred to as Low Value Minerals and Materials (LVMM) due to their low price as a function of their weight, and their relatively low value to international commodity markets, Development Minerals provide crucial inputs for domestic economic development (infrastructure, manufacturing, construction and agriculture to name a few) and have the potential to be high value in terms of domestic development.

The programme is being implemented at both regional and country levels. Regional level activities such as training will involve forty (40) countries from the 6 OACPS regions; while in-depth support at country level will be provided for 6 countries namely: Cameroon, Fiji, Guinea (Conakry), Jamaica, Uganda and Zambia. Four focus countries will be added in the course of the year to bring the total number to ten (10). Training and support will be provided in the following thematic areas of importance to the sector: 1) mine and quarry management; 2) environment, health and safety; 3) entrepreneurship skills; 4) market analysis and investment promotion; 5) geo-data and maps design; 6) community relations and addressing grievances.

As an intern, you will be part of a team working in four different continents and in diverse development settings. You will gain experience with production of communications content and use of communication tools for development, catering for different types of target audiences. You will also earn an understanding of how international organizations function, gain knowledge on key and acute global governance challenges and be exposed to a group of dedicated international staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Specialist, the intern shall perform the following assignments:

• Support the management of the Programme’s social media handles by feeding them with relevant and timely content.
• Support the upgrading and management of the Programme’s website with relevant stories from the field.
• Develop infographics based on information and data provided in the monthly reports received from the various Programme country offices.
• Assist with analysis and management of the mailing list of the Programme.

• Assist with the production of the Programme’s newsletter.

• Provide technical assistance in the recording and editing of videos and podcasts about the Programme’s activities in the field to key local audiences and among countries of the OACPS, European Union, international organisations, civil society, partners and the general public.

• Draft and upload articles about Programme events as well as relevant current affairs that involve Programme countries on the website.
• Attend events, take photographs and assist with the proper documentation of the Programme’s photos.
• Undertake monitoring of the media in focus countries to track reportage of mining generally, and Development Minerals sector in particular.
• Contribute to and perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Competencies

• Solid organizational, research and time management skills.
• Excellent analytical, communication and drafting skills.
• Experience in writing, editing, designing and producing materials for website content.
• Good social media skills.
• Possession of graphic design skills an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Strong interest in, and knowledge of, global development and the work of international organisations.
• Knowledge of the UN/UNDP and commitment to UN mission and UNDP mandate is an advantage.
• Proficiency in standard software applications (MS Office, Excel, Word, Powerpoint), videoconferencing applications. Knowledge of web content management tools, photo editing and graphic design tools, mail management tools, and familiarity with video publishing software an asset.
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modelling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in French desirable.

Required Skills and Experience

Eligibility:

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent); preferably in journalism, communications, international affairs, international development, business administration, public administration or other relevant social sciences.
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher); preferably in journalism, communications, international affairs, international development, business administration, public administration or other relevant social sciences.
• Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined above and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme.

Application process:

Interested applicants must include the following documents when submitting the applications in UNDP job shop (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all documents in one file):

• Updated CV as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
• Motivation letter specifying reasons why candidate is seeking the internship and what is expected from the experience.
• Official letter from the University confirming enrolment and specifying expected graduation date (for students)
• Official letter from the University confirming graduation date (for graduates)

Only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted for interview

UNDP accepts no responsibility for the costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.

Prior to being offered a Letter of Acceptance for Internship, the selected candidate will have to provide the following additional documents:

• Medical Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician. If the intern is expected to travel outside the country of their residence, other than to Europe and North America, the physician must indicate whether s/he is to travel and has the required inoculations for the country to which they are to travel
• Proof of valid Medical Insurance cover, valid for the duration of the internship programme in Belgium
• For applicants who are not resident in Belgium or who are not Belgian nationals, the insurance cover must include adequate coverage in the event of an injury or illness during the internship duration which:
  1. Requires transportation to the home country or country of residence for further treatment
  2. Results in death and requires preparation and return of the remains to the home country, or country of residence

General Conditions:

1. In accordance with the UNDP Internship policy, UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend, with a rate that varies depending on the duty location. The stipend will be paid monthly, and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
2. Where an intern is financially supported by an institution, government or third party, UNDP will pay the intern the difference, if any, between the external financial support provided and the applicable UNDP stipend.
3. Except for the stipend, all other expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring government or institutions.
4. Interns are not considered staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
5. The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationali****ty and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.