Intern – Public Information: Communications & Journalism

Contract

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

Work Location

New York, USA

Expected duration

Expected duration: 6 months Desired start date: 1 July 2024

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship announcement is valid for one (1) candidate who will intern in the Public Inquiries Unit (PIU), Visitors Services Section (VSS). Visitors Services is part of the Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications in New York City which engages and educates people and their communities worldwide to encourage support for the ideals and activities of the United Nations. Within VSS/PIU, the intern will assist in preparation for the 2024 Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship (RAF) Programme. RAF provides exceptional young journalists from developing countries with in-depth exposure to the work of the UN. During the Fellowship, RAF Fellows have the opportunity to cover the opening of the UN General Assembly, meet expert speakers on a range of issues on the UN’s agenda, and learn from the best in international and local media throughout New York City, among other activities. Please visit https://www.un.org/en/raf for more information about the Fellowship. The internship is in-person, unpaid and full-time but could also be part-time. When full time, interns work five days a week (35 hours) and when part-time, they work less than 34 hours a week. The intern will report to the RAF Coordinator (Associate Public Information Officer) and the Chief of Unit. The hybrid or remote setting of the internship may be considered based on request by the successful candidate, the nature of the tasks, needs of the Units and/or Section, and the discretion of the manager.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: a. Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) b. Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, prior experience in journalism, media relations, programme management, or stakeholder management is desirable. An academic background in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, or International Relations is desirable. Applicants must also: • Be computer literate in standard software applications, especially MS Word and MS Excel. • Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter • Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. In your motivational statement: - Please explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme - Please explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship - Please indicate when you would like to start and end your internship The United Nations must ensure all applicants for an internship, regardless of citizenship are authorized to work in the country where the internship will be undertaken. Before resuming an internship, the applicant must submit proof of visa and/or work authorization. Interns will need to provide all necessary hardware (computer), software, and an internet connection to perform the internship. This job opening is generic and further notice about any non-selections will not be issued due to the nature of the advertisement. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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. For internships in the United States of America, interns who are not United States citizens, permanent residents or not currently in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa status will be required to obtain a G-4 visa. If already in the United States of America on another non-immigrant visa status other than G-4, interns will be responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa, and if required, employment authorization, allowing them to undertake the internship. 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.

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.