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 public understanding and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations, engaging local and regional partners, and ensuring that the UN's work is communicated effectively to the local audience. UNON operates with a commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter and strives to bring the United Nations closer to the people it serves. The organization employs a diverse workforce and operates in multiple countries, focusing on sustainable development and humanitarian efforts.

Job Overview:
The Communication and Social Media Intern position is located within the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) and Visitors’ Service Department in Nairobi. The intern will work under the supervision of the Public Information Officer and will be responsible for various tasks aimed at enhancing public understanding of the UN's work. This internship is designed for individuals who are passionate about communication, social media, and public engagement. The intern will assist in photography assignments, video production, drafting meeting highlights, and creating visual content for UNIS platforms. The role requires a proactive approach to engaging with local audiences and promoting UN initiatives through social media and other communication channels. The intern will also be involved in media monitoring and increasing online engagement, particularly with youth audiences. This is a full-time, unpaid internship lasting six months, requiring a 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 and videography assignments, ensuring compliance with UNIS requests, drafting meeting highlights for the UN Communications Group, welcoming official guests during events, translating content, supporting rapporteur assignments, setting up meetings, drafting stories showcasing UN results, researching and writing content for outreach events, creating visual assets using design software, drafting social media content, monitoring media, and facilitating online engagement with youth. The intern will also assist in participant registrations and media accreditation during events, and undertake any other assignments as directed by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: be enrolled in a graduate school program, be in the final year of a first university degree program, or have graduated with a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree. Proficiency in standard software applications, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite, is required. A keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a commitment to its ideals are essential. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to interact successfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs. Preferred fields of study include Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Social Sciences, Graphic Design, IT, or related areas. While professional work experience is not required, a relevant field of study is necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be enrolled in or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. program. Specifically, applicants should be in their final year of a first university degree program or have graduated with a degree equivalent to a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. Additionally, proficiency in graphic design and photo editing software such as Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, and Canva is desirable, enhancing the candidate's suitability for the internship.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required for this internship, candidates should have a field of study closely related to the internship's focus. This could include coursework or projects that demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge in communication, social media, or public engagement. The internship is designed for students or recent graduates who are eager to gain practical experience in a UN environment.

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 UN language, such as French, is considered desirable and may enhance the candidate's application, particularly in roles that require communication with diverse audiences.

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. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.