Public Information Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) is part of the Department of Global Communications, which plays a crucial role in the UN's ability to connect with people worldwide. UNICs are responsible for disseminating information about the UN's activities and promoting public understanding and support for its goals. They engage with media, educational institutions, and local organizations to share the UN's story in various languages. UNICs maintain libraries and electronic resources to facilitate access to information about the UN's work. The organization aims to foster a global community that is informed about and engaged with the UN's mission and activities.

Job Overview:
The Public intern" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Information Intern position is designed for individuals who are eager to gain practical experience in the field of public information and communications within the United Nations framework. The internship is located at the UNIC in Beirut and is intended to last for three months, with the possibility of extension for an additional three months, making a maximum duration of six months. This internship is unpaid and can be either full-time or part-time, depending on the intern's academic commitments. Interns are expected to work five days a week for full-time positions (35 hours) or three days a week for part-time positions (21 hours). The role involves assisting in various communication tasks, including drafting media advisories and press releases, contributing to social media content, and providing media support for events organized by UNIC Beirut. The internship is primarily in-person, but remote work options may be available on a case-by-case basis, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks under the supervision of the Outreach Assistant and other staff members. Duties include:

• Assisting in drafting media advisories, press releases, press reviews, talking points, statements, and news stories in both English and Arabic.
• Contributing to the content creation for UNIC Beirut's website and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, by sharing relevant UN news and events.
• Providing media support for events and campaigns organized by UNIC Beirut.
• Assisting in organizing press conferences, meetings, briefings, and other public relations events.
• Taking photos and videos for media coverage and archiving purposes.
• Engaging in other ad-hoc activities as instructed by supervisors, which may vary based on the intern's background and the needs of the office.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: (a) Be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or (b) Be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Additionally, applicants should possess good knowledge of standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. The ability to draft news articles and social media posts is desirable, as is the ability to design surveys and polls. A demonstrated interest in the work of the United Nations and a commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter are essential. Applicants should also have the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs, showing a willingness to understand and tolerate differing opinions and views.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. program, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. program. This educational background should be closely related to the internship's focus area, ensuring that the intern has the necessary theoretical knowledge to contribute effectively to the UNIC's work.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not a requirement for this internship, applicants should have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the internship. This could include experience in communications, public relations, international relations, or related fields that would provide a foundation for the tasks expected of the intern.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required for this internship, as these are the primary languages used in the UNIC's operations. Knowledge of French is considered desirable, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations and may enhance the intern's ability to engage with a broader audience.

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 Lebanon may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization before starting the internship. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements with the UNIC prior to accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.