Public Information Intern null

Your Role

The internship is for a minimum period of four months with an opportunity for an extension of up to six months and the expected start date is 14 October 2024. The internship is in-person, unpaid, and full-time but could also be part-time. When full-time, interns work 35 hours, five days a week, and when part-time, they work less than 34 hours a week. Interns work in the United Nations Headquarters in New York under the supervision of a UN staff member to which they are assigned. The hybrid or remote setting of the internship may be considered based on a request by the successful candidates. The internship is available for one candidate.

About the Program:

The Internship is in the Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery (TST), which is part of the Outreach Division of the Department of Global Communications. The Programme was established to educate about the history of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, its impact on the modern world, including racism towards people of African descent, and the importance of standing up for human rights. The Outreach Programme continues to build a network of partnerships with civil society, governments, educators, and organizations involved in teaching the history of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans. Through these partnerships, the Programme has developed a range of educational resources including films and exhibits, for use at United Nations Headquarters and in the field.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Working under the supervision of the Public Information Officer, the intern will assist the TST team with its daily tasks:

• Conducting internet research on thematic issues related to TST’s principles and mandate, including the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its legacies.
• Drafting, formatting, editing, and posting original website content/news stories, including graphics, photographs, and video
• Drafting social media content for TST's Facebook and Twitter accounts
• Assisting with planning and organization of lectures and events, including researching speakers, preparing invitations and promotional material
• Maintaining TST databases
• Providing general office support (processing, drafting, and finalizing correspondence and other communications; setting up and maintaining files/records, organizing meetings etc.

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 a 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 client's 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

About You

Qualifications/special skills:

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
• Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, communication, media studies, filmmaking, international relations, or a 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 students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor's 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.
• Applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications.
• A demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes the willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views is strongly desired.
• Skills and experience in writing, social media, and multimedia production are strongly desired.

Languages:

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

Additional Information:

Work Authorization and Equipment

Applicants who are children or siblings of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. Interns will need to provide all necessary hardware (computer), software, and internet connection in case of performing 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.

Recruitment and Employment Standards

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.

Financial Remuneration and Expenses

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

Employment and Conduct Standards

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. 

Geographical and Gender Diversity

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting 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.

Staff Appointment and Assignment

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.

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.

Compensation & Benefits

This internship is unpaid, full-time. If you join as a full-time employee, you will get the following benefits:

• Tax exemption
• Allowances and benefits
• Holidays and leave
• Health insurance
• Retirement pension

Training & Development

An internship at the UN could be the ideal start if you are considering a career in the Organization. It will give you exposure to high-profile conferences, political decision-making, or work on the ground, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the projects and mandates of the United Nations. You can apply for any internship around the world, regardless of nationality.

As an intern, you will:

• Enhance your educational experience through practical work assignments
• Deepen your knowledge and understanding of the Organization’s goals, principles, and activities
• Work in an international environment, and network with international civil servants, career professionals, and senior management
• Provide the UN with assistance in your area of expertise
• Participate in tasks such as drafting documents, analysis of data, research, organization of conferences or events, work on media campaigns and outreach, and much more.

Career Progress

UN internship will not automatically lead to a job with the UN, but with the experience you have acquired during your time as an intern, you might be interested in applying for General Service or consultancy positions. If you want to apply to positions at the Professional and Higher or Field Service levels, they ask you to let at least six months pass after the end of your internship before you submit your application and ensure that you fulfill not only the educational but also the work experience requirements that are outlined in each job opening.

How to Apply

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) 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)
• Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
• Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

Evaluation and Reference Checks

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.

Deadline for Job Openings

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. A completed online application is required, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

Source

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• careers.un.org/payandbenefits
• careers.un.org/job-level
• youtu.be/q6TKu-eRIhY?si=bNexYYY9fxpUL752