United Nations (UN) announces vacancy for Intern – Public Information

Posting Title: INTERN – PUBLIC INFORMATION, I (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: INTERN – PUBLIC INFORMATION
Department/Office: Office for Disarmament Affairs
Duty Station: KATHMANDU
Posting Period: 08 June 2022 – 30 December 2022
Job Opening Number: 22-Public Information-ODA-182142-J- (A)
Staffing Exercise: N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) is seeking for qualified interns for a maximum internship of six months, depending on the needs of UNRCPD and the willingness of applicant.

UNRCPD is part of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and located in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Regional Centre assists countries in Asia and the Pacific in achieving their peace, security and disarmament goals, through provision of substantive support, coordination of activities at sub-regional, regional and international levels, and information sharing on global and regional activities. According to its mandate, UNRCPD provides countries of the region, on request, aid and support for implementation of international agreements aimed preventing and combating illegal flows of conventional arms, promoting dialogue and confidence-building on global and regional issues related to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, addressing challenges to peace and security through engaging women and youth and promoting peace and disarmament education. To this end, the Regional Centre organizes seminars, workshops and trainings.

The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a professional staff member in the Centre to whom they are assigned. The incumbent reports to the Director of UNRCPD.

Responsibilities
Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, the intern’s assigned tasks, and the internship period. Interns shall undertake the following duties which may include, but are not limited to:

• Assist the Office with strategic communication and public outreach.
• Assist in developing media products for web and social networking platforms.
• Assist in developing content management and development of disarmament stories and information to increase awareness and understanding of the issues by key audiences through information posted on the Office’s website and through social media channels.
• Assist with drafting and editing publications (e.g. fact sheets, brochures, newsletters and donor-related updates) for internal and external sources.
• Design and produce presentations and supporting materials to increase ODA’s visibility and outreach.
• Proactively contribute suggestions and ideas for design projects that will add value to the work of the Office.
• Perform any other duties as requested by the supervisor.

*Applicants with personal access to Adobe Photoshop and InDesign are highly desirable and encouraged to apply. However, access to these programs is not a requirement for application.

Competencies
The United Nations Core Competencies include:

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• 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.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

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)

Work Experience
No 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.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager for further consideration.

Special Notice
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 UN premises. Applicants must be willing and prepared to undertake the internship remotely for a part or the entirety of the internship. The work hours during the internship shall be determined based on individual discussion between the intern and the supervisor(s) taking into consideration the minimum requirements of the Organization and the time difference between the hosting office and the location of the intern.

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All past work experiences, IT skills, languages, and three references, must be included in the Personal History Profile.

The Cover Note must include:
– Name of university and title of degree you are currently pursuing
– Graduation date (when you expect to graduate from the programme)
– A listing of IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
– An explanation why you are the best candidate for an internship with the Office.
– An explanation of your interest in the work of UNRCPD.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.

United Nations Considerations
According 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.

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.

No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

To apply for this job please visit careers.un.org.