Communications and Advocacy Intern at United Nations Population Fund

Job title: Intern, Humanitarian Office

Location: UNFPA HQ, 605 3rd Ave., New York, NY, 10158 Full/Part time: Full-time (approximately 40 hours per week)

Duration: 3 months, with possibility for extension up to 6 months

The Position:

This internship is intended for those who are interested in supporting global communications and advocacy for humanitarian action of the United Nations.

The intern will report to the head of the Advocacy and Communications Unit in the Humanitarian Office of the UN agency, UNFPA.

How You Can Make a Difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA expands choices and possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. Our work is derived from the ICPD Programme of Action; that all human beings are entitled to equal rights and protections and no one should be left behind in the fulfilment of their fundamental human rights. In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical leaders, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results. We need interns who are exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

This internship supports the conceptualization and production of communications and advocacy products to garner greater awareness and support for humanitarian response that supports the health and protection of women and girls.

You Would be Responsible For:

• Producing key messages for social and digital communications, events and campaigns, to advocate for the unique and special needs of women and adolescent girls in humanitarian settings and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law; within the context of rising humanitarian crises exacerbated by protracted conflict and climate change.
• Supporting the production and launch of the Humanitarian Action Overview 2023, our annual global humanitarian appeal and report.
• Drafting key messages, Media Releases, and other products for a global audience.
• Drafting humanitarian tweets for the UNFPA corporate account
• Taking meeting minutes/action points.
• Undertaking any other duties as requested by the supervisor.

You Have:

Your Education

Applicants to UNFPA’s internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher)
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
• Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (A) and (B) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation
• Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship programme and undertake the internship as part of this programme

Your Experience

• Excellent computer skills, fully conversant with Microsoft Office, Google, Adobe
• Communications experience including writing, editing, graphic design and social media

Your Competencies:

• Some experience in working on development/humanitarian issues, including in volunteer capacity
• Strong analytical skills
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Mailchimp, and related design apps
• Excellent writing and editing skills (English) and ability to synthesize large amounts of information
• Knowledge of content creation and digital platforms, and digital campaigns
• Ability to work independently and harmoniously with people of different national and cultural backgrounds
• Ability to deal with a varied and rapidly changing workload

Learning Elements:

Upon completion of the assignment, and depending on its duration, the Intern should be able to:

• Understand UNFPA in general, and the Humanitarian Office specifically
• Understand UNFPA priorities in humanitarian action, and the dynamics of humanitarian action at all three levels of the organization: country, regional and headquarters
• Understand the global humanitarian system, from policy, financing, to delivery of services
• Produce global advocacy and communications materials that help to garner support for UNFPA’s mandate in humanitarian settings
• Grasp United Nations technical language, working procedures, and coordination mechanisms
• Network with UN colleagues
• Work as a team member in a multicultural setting

Financial Aspects:

Interns receive a stipend in line with UNFPA policy. The costs associated with an intern’s participation in the programme must be assumed either by the nominating institution, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students, or by the students themselves, who will have to meet living expenses as well as make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and other requirements. In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship. Proof of insurance will need to be submitted before the internship begins.