Public Information Intern: assist with research, content writing and event organization

Work Location

New York. This internship is designed to be in-person and full time but can be adjusted to part-time or hybrid based on request by successful candidate.

Expected duration

4-6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. The internship is for a for a minimum period of four months with an opportunity for extension 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 request by the successful candidates. The internship is available for one candidate. #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 web site content/news stories, including graphics, photographs and video – Drafting social media content for TST 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 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 clients’ 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

Qualifications/special skills

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 degree or equivalent) in journalism, communication, media studies, filmmaking, international relations or 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 a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor 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 include 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 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

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. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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.

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.

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.