Communication and Social Media Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) serves as the UN headquarters in Africa and represents the Secretary-General. Established to support the implementation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), UNON plays a crucial role in providing administrative, conference, and information services to various UN offices in Kenya and globally. The organization is dedicated to promoting the ideals of the United Nations and enhancing public understanding of its mission and impact. UNON operates with a multilingual team of specialists who engage with local and regional partners to bring the UN closer to the communities it serves, enriching the public's understanding of global initiatives such as environmental sustainability and human rights.

Job Overview:
The Communication and Social Media Intern position is located within the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) and Visitors’ Service Department at UNON in Nairobi. The primary focus of this internship is to assist in enhancing public engagement and understanding of the UN's work through various communication channels. The intern will work under the supervision of the Chief of the United Nations Visitors Service, contributing to the development of content for social media platforms, assisting in photography and videography assignments, and engaging with visitors to promote the UN's mission. This role is designed for individuals who are passionate about communication and social media, and who wish to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic international environment. The internship is unpaid and requires a full-time commitment of five days per week, totaling 35 hours.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: assisting in photography assignments, ensuring that all requests from the Visitors Service regarding photography and videography are fulfilled, producing short videos tailored to current digital audience needs, setting up UN WebTV services, welcoming guests at the UNON main entrance during events, translating content for relevant partners, assisting with Rapporteurs assignments, organizing Visitors Service meetings, drafting stories that showcase the results of UN's work, researching and writing content for outreach events, creating visual assets using design software like Canva and Adobe Suite, drafting content for social media platforms, and enhancing interactivity on these platforms. The intern may also be involved in increasing online engagement through initiatives like Facebook Live events targeting youth, and will undertake any other assignments as directed by the Chief of Visitors Service.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application: be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), be in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent), or have graduated with a Bachelor's degree, Master's, PhD, or equivalent. Candidates should be proficient in standard software applications, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite, and must demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the United Nations, along with a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. Additionally, applicants should have the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing tolerance and understanding of differing opinions.

Educational Background:
The ideal educational background for this internship includes studies in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Social Sciences, Graphic Design, IT, or any related field. While professional work experience is not required, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Applicants must be students in the final year of their first university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent), or enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program, or have completed such programs. Proof of enrollment or graduation will be required during the application process.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required for this internship, candidates should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the position. This could include projects, volunteer work, or other internships that demonstrate a commitment to the field of communications and social media.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this internship, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is considered desirable, which may enhance the intern's ability to engage with a broader audience and contribute to the UN's multilingual communication efforts.

Additional Notes:
This internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Kenya may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization prior to starting the internship. Candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements with the UN before accepting the internship offer. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Additionally, the UN does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.