Geneva, Switzerland
UN Office in Geneva
Posting Title: Creative Communications Intern at the Perception Change Project, I (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: INTERN – PUBLIC INFORMATION
Department/Office: United Nations Office at Geneva
Duty Station: GENEVA
Posting Period: 26 February 2020 – 31 December 2020
Job Opening Number: 20-Public Information-UNOG-132579-J-Geneva (A)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and Reporting
The post is located at the Office of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) with the Perception Change Project (PCP). The PCP is an initiative designed to transform global understanding of what the United Nations and its partners are doing in Geneva to improve the lives of people around the world every day.
Through concerted outreach efforts, the PCP bridges the divide between organizations and different stakeholders, including local Geneva and international Geneva.
The goal of the project is to creatively communicate with the public to increase the understanding of how the international system works and how much it improves people’s personal lives through.
PCP projects, which include publications, events and campaigns are designed to change the way organizations work together and encourage collaboration and synergies to help the international system to be better placed to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda.
The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Core working hours for interns are Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00. The duration of the internship can range from a minimum of three months to a maximum
of six months.
Responsibilities
The incumbent will primarily provide basic technical support and/or digital assistance to help enhance communication on the work, resources and impacts of International Geneva related to the Sustainable Development Goals and Peace, Rights and Well Being.
Under the supervision of the Head of the PCP, based at the PCP in the Office of the Director General at the Palais des Nations, the intern(s) will: 1)Assist the team in researching, preparing, organizing, collecting, storing and/or translating drafts of communication materials, including books, brochures, infographics, newsletters and social media content;
2)Assist the team with the planning, organization and implementation of outreach projects, publications, events and campaigns;
3)Assist with the distribution of PCP publications and products as widely as possible;
4)Assist with the management of files, folders, databases and websites;
5)Perform other tasks as requested.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Very good attention to detail. Conceptual skills and ability to conduct independent research, identify issues and summarize diverse information. 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.Good understanding of the UN’s mission and organizational set-up.
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; tailor’s 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 organisational goals and to to work in an open-office space; 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.
Education
Applicants must have a university degree or be in the final stages of their undergraduate studies in information management, documentation studies, publications management or related fields.
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:
- Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or (c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one year period of graduation;
- Be computer literate in standard software applications;
- Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and·
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- Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of
differing opinions and views. We strongly encourage diversity in the team. Applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds are welcome;
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Work Experience
Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, the field of study should be closely related to the type of internship you are applying for is required.
Some experience (including volunteering or extracurricular involvement) assisting with projects, events or public information campaigns is strongly desired.
Experience using InDesign and Illustrator is desired, as well as some experience updating content on websites is desired.
Previous involvement with and exposure to publications, project management, public relations, UN system and international affairs would be an asset.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English is required, fluency in French is desirable. Knowledge of other UN languages, German and/or Italian would be an advantage.
Assessment
Candidates will be assessed based on their Personal History Profile (PhP). Individual interviews may be conducted by the Hiring Manager directly for further consideration. A complete online application (Cover Letter and PhP) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
The Cover Letter must include:
- Explain why you are the best candidate for this internship position;
- Explain any previous experience you may have which may be relevant for this position (including volunteering and extracurricular activities);
- Indicate your availability – starting date, % if you are only available part-time, until when.
In your Personal History Profile, be sure to include all your academic qualifications, past work experience, IT skills, and three references.
Short-listed candidates may be contacted by the hiring team directly if further information is needed during the review of their application.
Due to the high volume of applications received, candidates who have not been short-listed will not be contacted.
Special Notice
Interns are responsible for all internship-related expenses that they incur. All costs associated to the internship are to be borne by the intern, notably: travel, accommodation, medical insurance, visas, and living expenses for the entire duration of their service. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during an internship. Therefore, upon award of an internship, interns are responsible for securing adequate insurance coverage and are required to sign and return a statement confirming their understanding and acceptance of these conditions of service. Candidates of certain nationalities must obtain a visa authorizing their stay in Switzerland before they depart for Geneva to begin their internship. While this is the overall responsibility of the selected candidate, we will provide information and supporting documents in this regard.
Interns shall not be eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, positions at the professional or above categories and for Field Service positions at the FS-6 and FS-7 levels during the period of the internship and for the six months immediately following the end of their service.
A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this instruction, ‘child’ means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member’s spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). ‘Sibling’ includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member.
For additional information on the United Nations Internship Programme, please consult https://www.unog.ch.
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.
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.
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.
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