Regional Communications Intern (for Ethiopian nationals)

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 UN Development Coordination Office Regional Office for Africa (DCO Africa), established in Addis Ababa on 23 July 2019 as per UN General Assembly resolution 72/279, plays a fundamental role in coordinating sustainable development efforts across Africa. It aims to invigorate the Resident Coordinator (RC) system, aligning it with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. DCO Africa’s objectives include enhancing the coherence of the United Nations’ sustainable development activities across the continent. This involves providing strategic guidance to 53 RCs and their offices in aligning their efforts with national, regional and global development priorities. One of the core responsibilities of DCO Africa is to strengthen the leadership, oversight, and accountability mechanisms within the RC system. DCO Africa’s support also includes strategic planning and quality assurance in developing and implementing new-generation UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks in each country, ensuring that these frameworks incorporate crucial development pathways and priorities into their goals and outputs. The office is also recognized for its capacity to facilitate knowledge sharing and network building, particularly in regions facing crisis or instability. DCO Africa utilizes its convening power to effectively mobilize regional expertise and resources for focused support in these areas. Based at the DCO Africa office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Intern reports to the DCO Deputy Regional Director for Africa and will receive direct guidance from the Crisis Communications Officer and Associate Regional Communications Officer at DCO Africa.

Responsibilities

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Crisis Communications Officer and Associate Regional Communications Officer at DCO Africa, the intern will actively contribute to the design and implementation of a 2024 Regional Communications Action Plan for Africa, supporting key initiatives to enhance communications across the continent. One significant aspect of the intern’s responsibilities is to support the seamless organization of a regional online discussion on Digital Transformation in Africa. The objective is to foster informed conversations, engagement and encourage knowledge sharing among relevant stakeholders across the continent. Furthermore, the intern will contribute to the creation and dissemination of impactful social media campaigns, under the direct guidance and supervision of the Crisis Communications Officer and Associate Regional Communications Officer at DCO Africa. These campaigns aim to amplify key messages and foster broader outreach of high-impact regional and global events, leading up to the Summit of the Future in September. In addition, the intern will provide operation support for the organization of Community of Practice webinars. These webinars specifically target Communications Officers from Resident Coordinator Offices (RCOs) and UN Information Centres (UNICs), serving as a capacity-building initiative. The intern’s involvement in these activities will help facilitate knowledge exchange and skill development within the communication network across the continent. Another responsibility involves supporting the Crisis Communications Officer and Associate Regional Communications Officer at DCO Africa in the organization of a comprehensive stocktaking survey for RCOs and UNICs Communications Officers. This survey serves as a tool to assess communication progress and needs across the continent. Additionally, the intern will provide support on knowledge management efforts, including maintaining list of contacts and tracking social media followers. Lastly, the intern will collaborate closely with DCO Africa colleagues to contribute inputs to the monthly DCO Policy Bulleting. This effort is vital for the dissemination of essential information, ensuring that key updates and insights are effectively communicated within the organization. Considering the Intern’s scope of work indicated above, the intern is expected to deliver the following key outcomes: 1. Provide strategic and operational support for the effective organization of a regional online panel discussion on Digital Transformation in Africa, co-organized by the DCO Regional Office for Africa and other stakeholders. 2. Assist in crafting impactful outreach materials for RCO and UNIC Communications Officers, specifically for a minimum of two (2) regional events leading up to the Summit of the Future. 3. Support the organization of two (2) Community of Practice webinars for RCO and UNIC Communications Officers, contributing to the identification of relevant topics and speaker selection. 4. Assist in the development and implementation of a stocktaking survey aimed at assessing communications progress and needs for RCO and UNIC Communications Officers across Africa. Additionally, provide support in analyzing the collected data. 5. Support the compilation of inputs for a minimum of three (3) DCO Policy Bulletins from substantive colleagues at the UNDCO Regional Office for Africa, ensuring timely and accurate content for publication.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. • 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. • 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: 1). 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).(OFFICIAL WRITTEN PROOF FROM THE UNIVERSITY SUPPORTING ONE OF THE ABOVE POSSIBILITIES MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE INSPIRA APPLICATION); 2). Be computer literate in standard software applications including MS Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point); 3). Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and 4). Have a 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.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

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.

Languages

• English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in spoken and written English is required. • Knowledge of French is an advantage.

Assessment

• In their Cover Note, interested Candidates should indicate their availability (please specify to/from dates) • The internship is for a minimum period of three months, with possibility of extension up to six months. • Considered candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager for further assessment.

Special Notice

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. A completed online application (Cover Note, Personal History Profile as well as proof of enrolment and/or graduation) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include: • Degree Programme (What are you currently studying?) • Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?) • List the IT skills and software that you are proficient in. • List your top three areas of interest. • Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship. • Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme in general and this assignment in particular. In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references. Do not forget to attach your proof of enrolment or graduation. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. 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.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.