Internship - Communication, BERA bei United Nations Development Programme

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To respond effectively to complex development challenges, partnership is at the heart of everything UNDP does. In the organization, the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA) leads and supports UNDP in cultivating, building and nurturing strategic relationships and alliances with Member States, UN sister agencies, private sector and civil society, that are essential for successfully achieving its mission of advancing the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. 

The UNDP Geneva Representation Office (GRO) is an integrated partnerships office, led by BERA, working across programmatic and representational functions. It contributes to UNDP’s mission by engaging and forging partnerships with a wide range of partners in Geneva and across Europe to support the attainment of the SDGs. In addition to leading donor relations with Switzerland and France and contributing to intergovernmental processes with Member States’ Permanent Missions, the Office has a specific responsibility for the development of partnerships with UN sister agencies and other international organisations headquartered in Geneva, as well as with the private sector, in particular the finance community.

In addition, through relevant coverage and participation in intergovernmental and UN agency debates, the Office provides intelligence to UNDP’s senior management to help shape corporate positioning and UNDP engagement strategies on specific thematic areas, such as inequality, nature and climate, crisis prevention and response, or financing for development. Furthermore, it also tracks trends and opportunities in the external political environment that may affect UNDP’s mandate, for instance in the areas of innovation for development or private sector engagement for the SDGs.

For more information on the mandate and work of the UNDP Geneva Office, please visit: https://www.undp.org/geneva  

Under the direct supervision of the Communication Manager and overall guidance of the UNDP Geneva Representation Office Director, and working closely with relevant teams, the Communication intern will be in charge of supporting :

Media coverage (20%) - targeting more specifically Swiss German outlets:

• Develop the French and Swiss media database, research as needed for new Swiss and French contacts on specific themes or for special moments in the media cycle especially in the Swiss German outlets, research and analyse specific media coverage on topical trends, prepare a weekly media digest to understand how Swiss (especially Swiss German) and French media treat development topics and quote UNDP.
• Attend the bi-weekly press briefer when necessary, support the preparation of UNDP representative briefing by specific research, background notes and follow up requested by journalists.

Digital communication (40%) - including audiovisual products:

• Research, produce and amplify on UNDP Geneva X account posts that can support UNDP positioning in Switzerland and in France and supporting institutional resources mobilisation;
• Develop graphic and audio visual materials for social media content;
• Research, develop and/or republish web stories to amplify how UNDP is leveraging at country level the support received by key donors;
• Populate on a weekly basis UNDP Geneva website with information that are relevant for local audiences.

Engagement with Parliamentarians in Switzerland (40%):

• Research, gather intelligence on key stakeholders, develop profiles identifying entry points for collaboration and shared interests;
• Identify opportunities for engagement, develop concept note for activations (e.g. parliamentarians briefing, targeted mailing, one on one meetings, etc.);
• Support activations in Bern during the upcoming Parliamentarian sessions (exhibitions, breakfast briefings, conference with Swiss German partners).

And any other related duties as assigned by the UNDP Geneva management.
 

General:

• Strong understanding and knowledge of Swiss political institutions and Swiss development cooperation;
• Highly motivated and a self-starter, with an excellent combination of strategic vision and communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to convey complex development concepts in a clear and persuasive manner;
• Proven ability to write clearly and convincingly in English and in German, with meticulous copy-editing skills and rigorous eye for content accuracy. Capable of adapting style and content to different audiences, with persuasive, coherent and well-founded arguments, in a style that is accessible to a broad audience of policymakers, private sector and activists. Ability to read and write French an asset;
• Excellent organization and coordination skills, with ability to plan and deliver activities with limited supervision and by taking initiatives;
• Demonstrated integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards; displaying cultural, gender, religion, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Core Values:

• Demonstrates an international outlook and an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff;
• Demonstrates an ability to manage workload with minimum supervision and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues in a fast-paced environment, while meeting tight deadlines;
• Demonstrates an intellectual curiosity and a deep desire to learn, displaying strong versatility and adaptability;
• Openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback.

Additional Functional Competencies:

• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task;
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) required;
• Proficiency with social media is an asset. Knowledge of CMS is an asset;
• Familiarity with graphic design software (e.g. Canvas) is an asset;
• Familiarity with data analytics is an asset.

• Demonstrated experience in Communication;
• Demonstrated understanding of Swiss political institutions;
• Knowledge of multilateral organizations would be an asset.

Language requirements:

• Excellent oral and written communication sills in English and German are required;
• Knowledge of French as official UN language would be an asset.

Application procedure:

In your application, please (i) state in one paragraph why you would like to be considered for the internship, and (ii) indicate your preferred start and end date, as well as your availability timeframe in 2025;

• Submit your CV/Resume (in English);
• Please combine the above into one single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.
• Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Internship Conditions:

• Interns may be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies, if is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme;
• 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;
• The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• In the current context, the intern is expected to partly work from home and partly from the office in Geneva. 
• 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 Programme 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 and due recognition of work will be issued in writing.

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of the following documents upon selection:

• Copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
• Letter from his/her university confirming current enrolment and graduation date;
• Letter of recommendation from a professor;
• Copy of his/her school transcript;
• Copy of passport;
• Completed UNDP internship application form;
• Signed UNDP Internship Agreement;
• Medical Certificate of Good Health; and
• Proof of medical insurance coverage.