Internship - Strategic Communications in Global Communications Service, Geneva

Terms of Reference

Strategic Communications Intern
Global Communications Service

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering an internship within the Coordination and Strategic Communications Unit in our Geneva Headquarters in Switzerland.
UNHCR is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

Title: Strategic Communications Intern
Functional Unit: Coordination and Strategic Communication Unit
Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: 6 months
Closing date: 22 November 2019
Start date: 1 December 2019

Organisational context
The Communications Strategy and Coordination Unit leads the development and rollout of UNHCR Global Communications Strategy. The unit supports communications strategies for emergency situations, countries and thematic areas. We develop tactics and tools, identify trends and forge partnerships to help meet UNHCR global communications objectives: 1. Lead the narrative, 2. Generate empathy, 3. Mobilize action.

The position
You will work closely with the Associate Communications Officer and other members of the Communications Strategy and Coordination Unit.
Duties and responsibilities
¿ Help coordinate the development of proactive tactics to achieve UNHCR¿s communications objectives in the context of different strategies and projects (e.g. Outreach to university students, Refugee Olympics team)
¿ Monitor the development and implementation of communications strategies for different emergency situations (e.g. Afghanistan, North of Central America, Myanmar, South Sudan, Venezuela)
¿ Build a database of media contacts, partners and influencers who can be activated to help boost the impact of UNHCR¿s communications products
¿ Conduct research and liaise with expert colleagues to draft background notes about key issues linked to forced displacement in different regions (e.g. climate displacement, gang violence, economic inclusion, returns, etc.)


Minimum Qualifications for the Internship:

In order to be considered for an internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

¿ Recent graduates (those persons who completed their studies within one year of applying) or current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university of higher education facility accredited by UNESCO; and
¿ Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of the Organization.

Please note that candidates who have immediate relatives (father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister) working as staff members of UNHCR are not eligible.

Desirable qualifications and skills:
Qualifications and competencies
¿ Degree in International Relations, Political Sciences, Journalism or related field
¿ Good understanding of issues related to forced displacement
¿ Experience in project management; excellent organizational skills
¿ Interest in digital media and communications campaigns
¿ Desirable: experience with Model United Nations, as a delegate or organizer
¿ Excellent writing, public speaking presentation skills

Technical knowledge
¿ Experience creating and managing websites (e.g. Drupal, WordPress)
¿ Knowledge of project management tools a plus (e.g. Asana, Google, Slack)
¿ Knowledge of email marketing software a plus (e.g. MailChimp)
¿ Knowledge of design software a plus (e.g. Photoshop, InDesign)

Language skills
¿ Fluency in written and spoken English is essential
¿ Other languages, including French, Spanish or Arabic, are an asset

Location
The successful candidate will be based with the team at the UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Conditions & Allowances:
It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 9.00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday (40 hours per week).

Allowance: Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help to cover the cost of food, local transportation and living expenses.

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. Please note that the closing date to apply to this internship advertisement is Friday 22 November 2019 (midnight Geneva time).