Internship-public Information (Communications and Public Mobilization), Geneva, Switzerland
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Job Description
Posting Title: Internship-Public Information (Communications and Public Mobilization), I (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: INTERN - PUBLIC INFORMATION
Department/Office: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Duty Station: GENEVA
Posting Period: 10 April 2019 - 30 September 2019
Job Opening Number: 19-Public Information-OHCHR-114775-J-Geneva (A)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and Reporting
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the Secretariat Department responsible for strengthening International Human Rights mechanisms; enhancing equality and countering discrimination; combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law; integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere; widening the democratic space; and early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity.
This announcement broadcasts international internship assignments based in the Communications and Public Mobilization Section (CPMS). Located in the External Outreach Service (EOS), the Section develops and implements strategies to improve general awareness of human rights and generates support for OHCHR's work in the area of human rights. CPMS consists of four thematic areas/ respective Units, namely: Audio-visual Unit, Social Media Unit, the Editorial Unit and the Web Unit.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, under the general guidance of the Chief of Section, the intern reports to the Audiovisual, Social Media or Information Officer in the area of assignment. This assignment may be offered for an initial period of three (3) months, with the possibility of extension up to a total combined period of six (6) months, upon further approval by the supervisor, and an initial commencement date ranging/starting from April to September 2019.
APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO INDICATE THEIR PREFERRED UNIT(S) OF INTEREST - EDITORIAL, SOCIAL MEDIA, AUDIO-VISUAL OR WEB AND PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY IN THE COVER-LETTER OF THEIR APPLICATION.
Responsibilities
The intern shall support OHCHR in fulfilling its mission: to work for the protection of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented.
Daily responsibilities of Communications and Public Mobilization interns will depend on the assigned Unit and the individual's background, duties may include but are not limited to, as follows: Editorial Unit - Attend specified meetings, panels and forums for purpose of writing feature stories; Search information related to field projects to develop feature stories; Produce/draft content for the website or special campaign websites; Assist in development of campaign materials; Help to set up and run events; Assist in branding; Assist in the Coordination of briefings;
Social Media Unit - Draft messages with differentiated narratives on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp/Telegram; Provide support for visual communications, such as photo search, factographs, infographics and live video; Create visual audits and Design briefs for graphic designers; Monitor human rights news on social web; Encourage proper tagging or branding of United Nations Human Rights content on social/digital channels of mainstream media; Actively expand the network of followers;
Audio-visual Unit - Assist in researching for file footage and photos; Transcribe and archive video footage; Support the unit on the development of all audiovisual material;
Web Unit - Assist in researching and formatting photos in Photoshop for web stories, speeches and other web pages; Assist in reviewing and maintaining website metadata categories; Assist in web analytics research and reporting; Assist in updating webpages using Hypertext Markup Language/Cascading Stylesheets (HTML/CSS), JavaScript in Adobe Dreamweaver; perform other duties as requested by supervisor, as appropriate.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: 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.
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.
Education
To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat Internship Programme, applicants must, at the time of application, be enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree) in the area communication, journalism, international relations, public Administration, international relations or a related field, OR have graduated with a university degree as defined above AND, if selected, must commence the internship within one-year period from the date of graduation.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the internship programme though any relevant academic and/or practical experience in communications, public information, journalism or human rights; Knowledge of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies would be an advantage.
Applicants should be computer literate in standard Software Applications; have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations with a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter, and have the demonstrated ability to interact successfully with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs - which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English or French is required, knowledge of the other is an asset. Knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an advantage (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).
Assessment
The respective OHCHR hiring office will directly contact short-listed candidates for an informal interview after the review of their application. Incomplete Personal History Profiles (PHPs) will not be reviewed. For this reason, it is crucial that the cover letter:
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- Specifies the area of interest in the Communications and Public Mobilization Section and the earliest date of availability;
- Notes the title and date of the recently obtained academic degree or the scheduled graduation date for study programme currently underway; and
- Indicates information technology (IT) skills and programs in which you are proficient.