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Overview

Assist UNEP's Communication and Knowledge Management team through a 6-month unpaid internship.

You have:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent) or have graduated with a university degree within a one-year period of graduation.
• Studies in communications, information science, computer science, information systems, media studies, journalism, or related field.
• Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office).
• Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs.
• Provide an official certificate of enrollment or graduation when required.

Contract

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

Work Location

Flexible (Hybrid and On-Site)

Expected duration

6 months, starting 15 Jun or sooner

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the UN system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. The Convention was adopted in Kumamoto, Japan in 2013 and came into effect in 2017. The Convention is administered by UNEP. As of 1 April 2025, there are 152 Parties to the Convention. The Secretariat of the Minamata Convention is located in Geneva. At the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP-5), Parties agreed on intersessional work to be carried out until COP-6. The Secretariat of the Minamata Convention is responsible for coordinating the work in the intersessional period as well as ensuring the timely and effective organization of COP-6 to be held in Geneva from 3 to 7 November 2025. The internship is located in the Communication and Knowledge Management team of the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention . The team is responsible for implementing digital strategies and communications activities, including data visualization, social media, web, internal communications, publications, audiovisual content and news stories. . The duration of the internship is for six (6) months. The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. It should be noted that full-time internship working hours are 35 hours per week (5 days a week). The internship will be undertaken in a hybrid working arrangement (partially remote) at the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention, UNEP, Geneva. The selected candidate will be expected to work in-person for part of the internship, in view of the communication and knowledge management requirements related to the organization of the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-6). The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s), taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern. The Communications and Knowledge Management Team is seeking assistance to bolster its communication efforts, digital media presence and media relations for the Secretariate of Minamata Convention. The requested services directly align with the mandate to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. The intern is expected to perform the following duties: • Research, compile, draft and edit basic information for use in the preparation and production of social media and web content, from long-term campaigns to tight deadlines. • Produce and edit visual content, especially for web and social media use. • Support the maintenance of the Minamata Convention website (www.minamataconvention.org) through continuous content updates in three UN languages (English, French and Spanish), and document uploads in the official six UN languages. • Assist in the production of visual content like PowerPoint templates, graphs and infographics for online training, outreach and relevant information materials. • Prepare templates for essential publications and documents in Word, and adapt content to the new formats as appropriate. • Monitor and analyze statistics related to digital content. • During COP-6 in Geneva, support the event in person by leading the Minamata Convention booth, assisting with exhibition area coordination, managing web content, and contributing to social media outreach activities. • Assist with other tasks, as appropriate and as discussed with the intern.

Qualifications/special skills

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 a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation. d. Studies in communications, information science, computer science, information systems, media studies, journalism, or related field. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office). Have demonstrated 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.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Information

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants who have previously served six months, in total, as an intern in one or more UN Common Systems cannot be engaged as an intern. Applicants who are children, siblings, and sons or daughters-in-law (including stepchildren, half-siblings, or stepsiblings) of an active staff member in a UN Common System cannot be engaged as an intern. In your Motivational Statement, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that the start and end dates are flexible. A complete online application is required. The Motivational Statement must also include: • Title of degree you are currently pursuing. • Graduation Date (When will you be graduating/have graduated from the programme?) • Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship • Explain your interest in this internship opportunity. In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org