Intern - Digital Communications

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, established to advocate for change and connect countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. Operating in more than 170 countries and territories, UNDP offers a global perspective and local insight to empower lives and build resilient nations. The organization emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all personnel can contribute to its mission while fostering an environment that values the multiplicity of nations and cultures. UNDP is committed to a 'leave no one behind' approach, encouraging applications from marginalized and underserved populations. The organization has a strict policy against sexual exploitation, harassment, and discrimination, ensuring that all selected candidates undergo rigorous background checks.

Job Overview:
The Digital Communications team at UNDP plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the organization's web presence globally. The intern will report to the Digital Production Specialist and will support the team in ensuring that UNDP's branded products are consistent in tone and visual representation. This position is designed for individuals who are interested in digital communications and have a background in web development. The intern will have the opportunity to work on various projects that contribute to the overall mission of UNDP, including backend development, DevOps, and system operations. The role requires a proactive approach to learning and adapting to the fast-paced environment of digital communications within a global organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's responsibilities will vary based on their skillset and professional orientation, but may include:

• Backend development tasks such as PHP and Drupal specific features development, including third-party integrations, bug fixing, user feedback implementation, and Drupal theming.
• Development of automated tests to ensure the functionality of web applications.
• DevOps/System operation tasks, including maintenance and enhancement of UNDP’s CI/CD pipelines, development and integration of external services to support existing systems, and automated performance monitoring development to create an early warning system for hacking attempts.
• Collaborating with other teams in the Communications group to ensure consistency in UNDP's online presence and outreach efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following educational requirements: (a) be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); or (c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and must start the internship within one year of graduation. Previous exposure and working knowledge of programming languages and frameworks from UNDP's technological stack is considered an asset, as is knowledge of standard integrated development environments (IDEs) paired with cloud services such as Github and Azure.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being enrolled in or having completed a university degree programme. Candidates must either be in the final year of their undergraduate studies or have graduated within the last year. This ensures that applicants have a solid foundation in relevant academic disciplines, particularly those related to digital communications, web development, or information technology.

Experience:
Candidates should have some practical experience with PHP and the Drupal framework, including modules, hooks, theming, and command line tools such as Drush and Composer. Familiarity with frontend development languages and frameworks, including JavaScript, CSS/SASS, and HTML, is also important. Additionally, experience with web developer tools like Git and VS Code, as well as basic shell scripting, will be beneficial. Previous exposure to the UNDP technological stack is advantageous but not mandatory.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as all application materials must be submitted in English. While not explicitly stated, knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial in a multicultural environment like UNDP, where communication with diverse populations is essential.

Additional Notes:
The internship requires a commitment of at least four days a week. Interns will receive a monthly stipend, which varies depending on the duty location, and part-time arrangements will be prorated accordingly. Interns are responsible for all expenses related to the internship, including health insurance, and must provide proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan. It is important to note that interns are not considered staff members and cannot represent UNDP in any official capacity. Additionally, applicants who are US Permanent Residents should be aware of the implications of accepting a position with UNDP, as it may affect their immigration status.