Posting Title: INTERN – Communications, I (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: INTERN – PUBLIC INFORMATION
Department/Office: United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund – Pension Administration
Duty Station: NEW YORK
Posting Period: 02 May 2023 – 15 May 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Public Information-UNJSPF PA-208041-J-New York (A)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is based in New York and is located in the Communication Team of the Client Services Service (CSS) of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF or the Fund) Pension Administration. The internship is available for three months with the possibility of extension up to six months. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours). For more information about the Fund, visit www.unjspf.org The incumbent will report to the CSS Communication Officer, in close coordination with the Special Assistant to the Chief Executive of Pension Administration, in charge of the overall communication strategy of the Fund. The Client Services team is responsible for communication with the constituents of the Fund and for providing them in a timely manner with access to clear, correct, relevant and useful information regarding pension matters.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Communications Intern will be responsible for the following duties:
- Draft and post articles on the Fund’s website and intranet about key events, initiatives, and communications to clients in accordance with the relevant editorial calendars
- Initiate the drafting and contribute to the maintenance and distribution of the UNJSPF monthly newsletter
- Review or create visuals for selected publications of UNJSPF
- Review PPT presentations for UNJSPF CSS to ensure consistency with the graphic guidelines of UNJSPF as well as provide a fresh and professional look and feel
- Maintain UNJSPF Communications email account, and answer or categorize emails to ensure they are addressed adequately and in accordance with plans
- Contribute to review, process, and publish videos produced in collaboration with external provider
- Support the development and implementation of a social media calendar for external audiences
- Contribute to maintain the corporate social media account
- Assist in implementing various PR activities/events and produce related minutes and analytical reports
- Prepare background information on selected topics
- Assist with the adaptation of UNJSPF technical information to language that is suitable for a general audience.
- [For French speakers] Assist in translating selected UNJSPF news stories, social media posts, videos and publications into French
- Perform other related duties as assigned Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
- Communication Officers and other communication specialists throughout the UNJSPF.
- UNJSPF CSS staff
- Administrative staff and focal points in UNJSPF Pension Administration services Expected results:
- Provides effective communication support to the CSS Communication Unit in implementing the communication strategy of the Fund in accordance with the communication policy of the Fund and based on relevant editorial calendars
- Processes work and initiates appropriate follow-up actions under minimal supervision
- Demonstrates initiative in the identification and resolution of issues/problems
- Is well-organized and produces accurate reports, minutes, and/or data, completed with only general guidance
- Consistently applies appropriate policies, guidelines, and procedures
- Effectively and, in a timely manner, liaises and interacts with colleagues, user groups and other concerned parties internally and externally
Competencies
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve Organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. The intern is expected to:
- Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter, and
- Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
EducationTo qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:
- Applicants to the programme must meet one of the following requirements at the time of their application: (a) Be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), or (b) Be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent)
- Applicants who have graduated (as defined in (a) or (b) above), if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation
- Be computer literate in standard software applications
Work ExperienceNo working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Three months of experience in communication, either in graphic design, journalism, publishing, social media, websites development or maintenance, or a related area (also part-time) are desirable.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.
AssessmentPotential candidates will be contacted by the Hiring Manager directly for further consideration.
Special NoticeA person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this instruction, “child” means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member’s spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). “Sibling” includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the internship at the duty station and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the commencement of the internship. A completed online application (Cover Note and Administrative Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include:
- Degree Programme (What are you currently studying?)
- Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?)
- List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
- List your top three areas of interest.
- Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship.
- Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme. In your online Administrative Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. G-4 VISAS FOR INTERNS: All interns assigned to a United Nations Organization, including Funds and Programmes, at a United States-based duty station, i.e. New York or Washington, who are not United States citizens or United States legal permanent residents (LPR) will be required to obtain G-4 visas prior to travelling to the United States. Prospective interns who are already in the United States on another non-immigrant status may need to apply for a change of status to G-4 prior to joining the United Nations for an internship. It should be emphasized that prospective interns are responsible for ensuring that they have an appropriate valid visa and employment authorization allowing them to undertake the internship. If the applicant is in F-1 status and has a valid EAD, they may undertake an internship within the scope of their F-1 visa without seeking a change of visa status. Please note, however, that interns in F-1 status who wish to undertake an internship following completion of their academic programme as part of Optional Practical Training (OPT) may need to seek a change of visa status to G-4 (This process currently takes about 8-10 weeks) or obtain G-4 visa overseas. To qualify for G-4 non-immigrant status, interns must be serving essentially full-time, i.e., 35 + hours per week. IN PERSON INTERNSHIP: Please also be advised that all candidates working in New York Headquarters will be required to submit proof of Covid-19 vaccination status. REMOTE INTERNSHIP (COVID-19): In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants may be requested to undertake the internship remotely in view of constraints regarding visa issuance, international travel and access to United Nations premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship.
United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.