Graphic Design Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is a global organization established by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable urban development. It focuses on building inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat operates in multiple countries, working with various partners to address urbanization challenges and promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The organization is committed to reducing inequality, discrimination, and poverty through urbanization as a transformative force. UN-Habitat's strategic initiatives include the Local2030 Coalition and the SDG Cities Global Initiative, which aim to enhance local governance and support cities in achieving their SDG targets. The organization employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to advancing urban development and sustainability.

Job Overview:
The Graphic Design Intern will be part of UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team within the Global Solutions Division. This position involves supporting the communications and advocacy workstream by creating high-quality visual materials that effectively communicate the organization’s messages. The intern will collaborate with project teams, communications staff, technical experts, and country office partners to produce engaging designs for various platforms, including social media, websites, and event materials. The role requires a strong understanding of visual communication principles and the ability to translate complex concepts into accessible formats. The intern will also manage design assets, ensuring adherence to branding guidelines and maintaining a well-structured library of design materials. This internship offers an opportunity to gain insights into the UN's work, particularly in the areas of SDG localization and urban development, while developing professional graphic design skills in a multicultural environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities will include:

• Assisting in the creation of high-quality visual materials such as social media graphics, flyers, posters, brochures, and presentations to effectively communicate UN-Habitat's messages.
• Supporting the development of engaging designs for digital platforms, ensuring a user-friendly and visually appealing experience.
• Collaborating on multimedia content production, including simple animations, video editing, and infographics to enhance storytelling and engagement.
• Creating event-specific design materials, including banners, signage, and promotional content to support successful event execution.
• Assisting in the creation of visually compelling social media posts and templates to craft a cohesive online presence.
• Ensuring all designs adhere to branding guidelines, maintaining visual consistency across all channels.
• Refining and updating existing design assets and templates to improve functionality and usability.
• Managing multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines efficiently.
• Organizing and maintaining a well-structured library of design assets for easy access. 1
• Staying updated on design trends and industry best practices to bring innovative ideas to the team. 1
• Resizing images, preparing files for printing, and conducting quality checks to ensure final outputs meet required standards.

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

Educational Background:
The preferred areas of study for this internship include Journalism, Communication, Graphic Design, Public Relations, Social and Political Sciences, International Relations, Urban/Public Policy, or related fields. Candidates should possess strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear and engaging content for various digital platforms. A good grasp of typography, color theory, composition, and layout design is required, along with full proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Canva, or similar graphic design software. Familiarity with Adobe After Effects and other animation tools for creating motion graphics is desirable.

Experience:
While applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. Programme. The internship provides an opportunity to gain insightful experience and knowledge of the UN and UN-Habitat's mandates, particularly regarding Member States' demands and requests. Interns will deepen their understanding of technical issues related to SDG Localization, multilevel governance, urban development, social inclusion, and sustainable municipal finance.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this internship position, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable, which can enhance communication and collaboration within the organization.

Additional Notes:
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the 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. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training.