Back Internship in the Division of External Relations at UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva (with possibility of telecommuting)

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time internship within the Social Media Section of the Global Communications Service (GCS) under the Division of External Relations at UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Established in December 1950, UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, internally displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. UNHCR currently operates in over 130 countries, using its long expertise to protect and care for millions.

• Title: Social Media Intern
• Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland (telecommuting is acceptable)
• Duration: 6 months
• Contract Type: Internship
• Closing Date for Application: 13 June 2021
• Start Date: Between 14 June and 14 July 2021

Organizational context

UNHCR’s Global Communications Service (GCS) works to lead the narrative on forced displacement, generate empathy and mobilize action within the wider context of the Division of External Relations. To advance these strategic objectives, the Service’s Social Media Section is responsible for leading the organization’s use of social media. The Section’s responsibilities include developing policies and strategies, providing leadership, coordination and training for country-led, thematic and language accounts around the world, and managing UNHCR’s global English social media accounts, which have an aggregate following of more than ten million people. UNHCR’s social media accounts are a front face of the organization and one of its leading drivers of public communications and engagement. They deliver compelling, sharable content to key audiences, advancing awareness, advocacy and fundraising objectives.

The position

We are looking for a dynamic and creative intern who has experience in social media communications, public relations or marketing, who can support the Social Media Section within the Global Communications Service.

The incumbent will report to and work closely with a Global Social Media Manager, the Head of Social Media as well as other core members of the team.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced and reactive environment, have the skills and ability to support on creating, publishing and distributing social-first content, producing presentations and reports, and competent in using Microsoft tools such as Office and Teams.

Duties and responsibilities

• Assist in the planning and production of content and copy attached to proactive campaigns and reactive moments for UNHCR’s core social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok;
• Assist in social media community management (replying to comments, responding to direct messages) to keep UNHCR’s online audiences engaged and to spot any crisis/reputational issues;
• Support in social media publishing by using tools like Trello, Social Flow, and native platform tools;
• Support in management of social assets including videos and photos using UNHCR’s existing libraries and databases;
• Prepare summary and activity performance reports for the team and internal partners;
• Work with internal stakeholders to monitor and analyze statistics related to social media content;
• Identify special projects and goals to work toward over the course of the internship.
• Undertake any other administrative or creative tasks assigned.

Minimum qualifications required

In order to be considered for an internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be either a recent graduate (having completed their studies within one year of applying) or a current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO1 ; and
• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of UNHCR.

NOTE: An individual whose father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of the Affiliate Workforce, is not eligible for an internship.

Desirable qualifications and skills:

• Excellent English communication skills, both orally and in writing, is essential. Knowledge of French or another UN language is an asset;
• Possess an understanding of social media platforms and the overall landscape of social media;
• Interest in the humanitarian cause;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Meticulous attention to detail;
• Effective in time management;
• Organizational abilities;
• Proficiency in PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Excel; social media and graphic design;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office/Teams/Slack.

Conditions:

It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 9.00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday (40 hours per week). The successful candidate will be either home-based or with the team in the Geneva, Switzerland. The location will be determined prior to the start of the internship, and is dependent upon the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic in both the applicant’s home country and at the duty station.

Allowance: Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help to cover the cost of food, local transportation and living expenses.