Background information/Organizational Context
Established in 1950, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. UNHCR works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home.
UNHCR's Global Communications Service (GCS) generates and maintains interest in global forced displacement and statelessness, and UNHCR's work. It engages in media and public relations, through consistent and focused communications and campaigns. It employs a wide range of multimedia tools, working across text, photos, video, online and social media platforms for distribution and placement. It may communicate in collaboration with other UN bodies, civil society actors, Goodwill Ambassadors and high-profile supporters, as well as the forcibly displaced and stateless people themselves.
The intern will work as part of the team in the front office of the Head of the GCS and will report to the GCS Communications Officer (Executive Support). They will have regular contacts with staff members across the Service, regional Bureaus and operations gaining a thorough understanding of UNHCR's communications work. They will also have limited external contacts on routine matters.
Duties and Responsibilities
Be a key member in the day-to-day work at the office of the Head of GCS, particularly supporting the Head of GCS and the Communications Officer/Executive Support colleague.
Conduct research (internet, digital, media and other), compiling and analyzing data on issues related to forced displacement and statelessness.
Contribute to the development of presentations on the work of GCS.
Assist with the technical and content-related maintenance of the GCS internal platform for communications practitioners (Sharepoint site).
Maintain and update the files of the Office's digital workspace, its calendar of events, contact lists and work program.
Organize and attend meetings, keeping minutes as requested.
Support with coordinating tasks.
Provide clerical assistance to events involving the Office.
Perform other duties as required.
Minimum qualifications required:
In order to be considered for an internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Recent graduates (those persons who completed their studies within one year of applying) or current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university of higher education facility accredited by UNESCO; and
Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of the Organization.
Desirable qualifications and skills:
Degree in Journalism, International Relations, Political Sciences or related field.
Good understanding of issues related to forced displacement.
Experience in project management; excellent organizational skills.
Interest in digital media and communications campaigns.
Excellent writing, public speaking, presentation skills.
Conditions:
This internship is full time (40 hours per week) Monday to Friday. The successful candidate will be assigned to support the team in Geneva, Switzerland; however, bearing in mind COVID-19 imposed restrictions, remote working arrangements are possible, and working from home will in any case sometimes be required.
Allowance
Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance in accordance with applicable UN rules.
This vacancy is archived.