COMMUNICATIONS INTERN

Background

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) is responsible for positioning UNDP as the world’s leading global development agency, promoting its global authority and thought leadership on sustainable development and the interconnected issues of poverty, inequality, and climate change. BERA leads and supports UNDP in building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances essential to achieving its mission. Creating strong political and financial backing for UNDP by providing partners and supporters with a clear understanding of what UNDP does and how our mission, capabilities and flagship services relate to them. The Bureau leads UNDP’s work on innovative and diversified partnerships and ways of financing the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It is also responsible for global campaigns on critical development issues, which aim to inform government policies and build partnerships around high- impact solutions. BERA coordinates and sets corporate standards across the functions of partnerships, marketing and communications within UNDP.

The Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy is positioned around three service lines; Public Partnership; Advocacy, Marketing and Communications; and Private and Finance Partners, all working in close collaboration and coordination under the guidance of the Directorate and with the support of the Management Support Unit and Strategic Analysis and Engagement Team.

BERA has a robust network of Representation Offices (Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo, Washington D.C. and Berlin) and Regional Teams in five hubs (Africa, Arab States, Asia Pacific, Europe and CIS, and Latin American and the Caribbean) co-led with Regional Bureaux, all of which play a critical role in audience centric communications and management and strengthening of relationships with Public and Private Partners to help build a strong brand for UNDP within the local ecosystem.

In April 2021 UNDP opened a new representation office in Germany. The office is a reflection of the complementary agenda between UNDP and Germany and the shared ambition of supporting country-led efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through the promotion of democratic governance, poverty eradication, stabilization and conflict prevention in fragile contexts and action on inequalities, climate

change and the environment, making for a highly convergent partnership agenda. The Office is expected to deepen the partnership with Germany, increase the visibility of UNDP and its work among German constituents and support UNDP at headquarter, regional and country levels in better positioning with German counterparts.

The office will cultivate, build and nurture strategic relationships including with parliament and its committees, Ministries, KFW, civil society, the private sector, foundations, academia, think tanks and the media. The Office is located in Berlin and Bonn.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the drafting, management and monitoring of content for the GRO social media platforms (esp. X and LinkedIn).
• Support the regular drafting, management and monitoring of content for the GRO website.
• Support the drafting of communications products for internal and external information (e.g. GRO’s internal newsletter, media summaries, press releases, report summaries, factsheets, etc.).
• Support the team’s efforts to strengthen media relations by maintaining media contacts and preparing press kits.
• Support preparation, delivery and follow-up of meetings and public events (incl. roundtables, workshops and press briefings).
• Provide general administrative support to inquiries for public information materials.
• Support English/German translation of key documents as needed.

Support research on expanding GRO engagement to new communication platforms and on innovative ways to reach new target groups. 

Competencies

• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills in English and German.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team.
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
• Strong planning skills and structured way of working and communicating.
• Ability to quickly adapt to a dynamic environment and work under pressure.
• Interest in international and German development policies, UN-affairs and journalism.  

Required Skills and Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme, however, they are expected to have the following skills:

• Communication, reporting and research skills and ability to fluently speak and write in German and English. An interview in German and English will be conducted for longlisted candidates.
• Strong technical skills in digital communications.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively
• Keen interest in international affairs and political communication.
• Basic knowledge and experience in managing websites (Drupal) would be an asset.

• Working arrangements

• As of 1 January 2020, Interns may be given a stipend according to UNDP Internship Policy, if it is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government foundation or scholarship programme. A stipend will be paid to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, such as meals and transportation at the duty station. The stipend will be paid on a monthly basis and part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.
• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship. Interns must provide proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan.
• Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for education programmes.
• The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed.
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship.
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.
• The purpose of the internship is not to lead to further employment with UNDP, but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
• The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract.