INTERN- Communications & Advocacy

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office supports the work of the Resident Coordinator who leads the UN country team in consultation with the Government to define and agree on the UN strategic response to the Government’s development priorities. This post is in the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO) in Port Louis, Mauritius.

The UN Resident Coordinator System encompasses all organizations of the UN system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in the country. The UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) is the designated representative of the UN Secretary-General and leading the UN Country Team (UNCT) and assumes the overall responsibility for – and coordination of – the development activities of the UN system. The UNRC Office for Mauritius and Seychelles has a multi-country (MCO) status. The main office is based in Mauritius and also covers Seychelles.

Key functions of the UN RCO include: strategic analysis, planning and positioning of the Country Team; preparation and monitoring of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF); support to joint UN programming and operations management; policy guidance; joint advocacy and communications in order to enhance UN coherence and improve overall program impact of the UN System in Mauritius and Seychelles.

The UN RCO for Mauritius and Seychelles is looking for an intern who has a strong interest and passion for working for the UN development system and will contribute to its crucial mandate of enhancing the coherence of the UN System through joint UNCT communications and advocacy.

This is a critical time for the UN in both countries are we are finalizing and will be launching the framework that governs the cooperation between the UN and Government to achieve their development priorities over the next 5 years. Through support to the joint communications & advocacy mandate, the internship will provide the successful candidate with a unique opportunity to learn about how the UN system operates at the country level. Among others, the intern will: learn about the functions and roles of a wide range of UN agencies; gain insight into the country’s programming process of the UN; and become familiar with how the UN interacts with government counterparts.

The UNRCO, Communications & Advocacy internship is for six (6) months.

The Internship is UNPAID and full-time.

Interns work five days per week under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Responsibilities Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background, the intern's assigned office as well as the internship period.

Under the direct supervision of the Communications & Advocacy Officer, the intern will: - Assist in the production of content or publication of communication materials, including media releases, newsletters, website pages and social media pages. - Assist in the organization of events in support of the UN development priorities (workshops, conferences, dialogues, webinars) in Mauritius and Seychelles. For example, the launch of the new partnership framework between the two countries and their respective governments and the global campaign for the SDG Summit in September. - Set up and organize RCO Mauritius and Seychelles digital photo and video library under the guidance of the Communications Officer to facilitate retrieval by creating properly labeled folders and the titling and captioning of photos or video. - Media monitoring scanning public information on print or digital media to find out what’s being said about specific topics that are critical to the UN and our work.

Results and Expected Outputs - Assistance effectively provided to produce or publish written communication materials. - Support effectively provided in the organization of communication events in Mauritius and Seychelles. - Completed organization of RCO Mauritius and Seychelles digital photo and video library under the guidance of the Communications Officer to facilitate retrieval by creating properly labeled folders and the titling and captioning of photos or video. - End of Internship Report.

Competencies Communication: 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. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher). b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent). c. Have graduated with Bachelor's degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent.

Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office).

Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.

Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Preferred skills: - Good writing skills (writing, editing and production of online written content). - Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. - Working knowledge and skills of photography and videography equipment, editing software/tools such as Adobe Photoshop/Lightroom would be an advantage. - Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others). - Motivated to contribute towards the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. - Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills. - Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team. - Flexible and open to learning and new experiences. - Strong analysis and research skills.

Preferred areas of studies: Communications / Journalism, International Development studies, International Relations, Social Sciences, Political Science, Law, Economics, Management or any other related field of study.

Work Experience No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Experience using research skills to support written communications is required.

Experience working as part of a team is desirable.

Experience in supporting the organization of high-level meetings/workshops is desirable

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Assessment Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice Your application for this internship must include: 1. A completed application (Personal History Profile) and Cover Note, through the UN careers Portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:

- Title of the degree you are currently pursuing - Graduation Date - IT skills and programmes you are proficient in - Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship

Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme, ensure to include all past work experience (if any).

2. Proof of enrollment from current University (if not graduated).

3. A copy of degree certificate (if you have already graduated).

The intern must be of Congolese nationality and available to work full time.

Due to a high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.