Strategic Communications and Outreach Intern

Job Posting Organization:
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established in December 1950 with the mission to save lives, protect rights, and build a better future for asylum-seekers, refugees, returnees, internally displaced communities, and stateless people. Over the past 75 years, UNHCR has grown into a global organization that operates in numerous countries around the world, providing assistance and protection to millions of individuals who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that every person has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and it works tirelessly to uphold the rights and dignity of those it serves. UNHCR employs a diverse workforce and collaborates with various partners to address the challenges faced by displaced populations.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position within the Strategic Communications and Outreach Unit at the Multi-Country Office in Washington offers a unique opportunity for individuals to gain insight into the operations and impact of UNHCR. Interns will be involved in various aspects of communications and outreach, aimed at raising public awareness and support for refugees and UNHCR's mission. The role is designed to provide hands-on experience in media relations, digital outreach, and campaign management, allowing interns to contribute to meaningful projects that align with UNHCR's goals. The position can be part-time or full-time, depending on the intern's availability, and is expected to last between 3 to 5 months, starting in April or May 202

• Interns will work closely with the U.S. Strategic Communications and Outreach team, which is responsible for engaging U.S. audiences and media outlets regarding global refugee crises and UNHCR's efforts to assist those in need.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will support the Strategic Communications and Outreach team in various capacities, including but not limited to: assisting with media relations and outreach efforts to enhance public awareness of refugee issues; contributing to the production of multimedia projects, including graphic design and digital media content; managing and organizing multimedia content for various platforms; monitoring media coverage related to UNHCR's work and refugee situations; conducting research and responding to information requests from the public; attending relevant external events and preparing summaries of the content; and undertaking additional projects as needed to support the team's objectives. This role requires a proactive approach and the ability to work collaboratively with team members to achieve common goals.

Required Qualifications:
To be eligible for this internship, candidates must either be recent graduates who have completed their studies within the last two years or current students enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program at an accredited university or higher education institution. Additionally, candidates should have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant to UNHCR's work, such as communications, international relations, or social sciences. Desirable qualifications include proficiency in multimedia production tools and software, such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro), as well as strong skills in Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Word, Excel). Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to international relations, refugee issues, and humanitarian response, along with excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a relevant field, such as communications, international relations, or social sciences. A degree from a university or higher education facility accredited by IAU/UNESCO is required. Recent graduates who have completed their studies within the last two years are also eligible to apply for this internship position.

Experience:
While prior professional experience is not mandatory for this internship, candidates should possess relevant academic experience or internships that demonstrate their interest and commitment to the field of communications, international relations, or humanitarian work. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of media relations and communications, as well as a demonstrated interest in refugee issues and humanitarian response.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with a superior command required for both written and oral communication. While no additional languages are specified as mandatory, proficiency in other languages may be considered an asset and could enhance the candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This internship is an on-site local role based in Washington, DC, with a commitment of 20-40 hours per week. Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to help cover costs related to food, local transportation, and living expenses. All applicants must be legally residing in the United States and possess a valid work permit (Employment Authorization Document - EAD) or permanent resident status at the time of application. The UNHCR workforce values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with a refugee or stateless background. UNHCR does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.