Switzerland: Innovative Communication Intern

The UN Environment / OCHA Joint Unit is offering new internships for 2018!

Org. Setting and Reporting

The UN Environment / OCHA Joint Unit (JEU) was established in 1994 as the United Nations mechanism to mobilize and coordinate emergency assistance to countries affected by environmental emergencies and natural disasters with significant environmental impact. The JEU responds to environmental emergencies by coordinating international efforts and mobilizing partners to assist affected countries requesting assistance. By pairing the environmental expertise of UN Environment and the humanitarian response network coordinated by OCHA, the JEU ensures an integrated approach in responding to environmental emergencies. The JEU also works on environmental emergency preparedness; to raise awareness among communities, disaster responders, governments, and industries on the impacts of environmental emergencies and the presence of hazardous materials that may be released during a disaster. Since its establishment 23 years ago, the JEU has responded to requests for emergency assistance from 90 countries. The Unit has access to resources made available through its extensive range of 25 different networks and partnerships.

The Innovative Communication internship is for 3- 6 months. Starting date is flexible, between January and August 2018. The Internship is UNPAID.

Responsibilities

The work is carried out in the overall context of the environmental emergency preparedness and response work of the UN Environment / UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Joint Unit. The intern will work under direct supervision of the JEU Programme Officer, integrated within the Emergency Services Branch at OCHA Geneva.

While the specific details of the internship will vary according to needs of the team and preferences of the intern, it is expected that his/her responsibilities may include, but not limited to:

• Support the strengthening of the Environmental Emergencies Centre (EEC; www.eecentre.org) as a knowledge hub, including providing inputs to EEC newsfeeds, trainings and the development of a creative marketing and/or outreach action plan.

  • Assists with the preparation, editing and graphic design of various written documents, e.g. reports, background papers, news items and web posts etc.;
  • Support the design of knowledge products (factsheets, brochures, infographics or video material), including for the project “Adaptation to climate change in sub-Saharan African humanitarian situations” and to “The Coordination of Assessments for Environment in Humanitarian Action: A Joint Initiative” (http://www.eecentre.org/assessments/index.html)
  • Contribute to brainstorming and develop creative storytelling, infographics, 2D animation, video (both regular and stop motion) to explain entry points (policies, tools, processes, skills) for environment in humanitarian action.

• Assist in creation of content and identify relevant material to be posted on social media channels;

• Support other activities as requested.

Competencies

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.

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 the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

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

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
• Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one year period of graduation from an academic programme.

Applicants who are unable to commence the internship within one year of graduation shall not be accepted.

The University degree must be in the area of Media and/or Communications, Graphic Design and/or Multimedia Arts, environmental science, political science, international studies or a related field.

Work Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme; but applicants should :

• Be computer literate in standard software applications;
• 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 understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Any academic and/ or practical experience in Adobe Illustrator CS +, Adobe InDesign and After Effects or similar programmes is an asset. Open Source equivalent experience is also very welcome. Experience scripting, creating and post production of both animated and real-life videos is an asset.

Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

For more information and application by click here.

You can get to applying by clicking here.

While the above is a generic OCHA profile, we have developed the specific profile above for an Innovative communication Intern.

Please indicate at the top of the cover letter that you are applying for the "Innovative communication" position at the OCHA / UN Environment Joint Unit. Please note that we are flexible in adjusting your responsibilities according to your interest.