UNCG Communications Intern

UNCG Communications Intern

Location:

 Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

Application Deadline:

 TBC

Type of Contract:

 Internship

Post Level:

 Intern

Languages Required:

 English  

Duration of Initial Contract:

 6 months

Expected Duration of Assignment:

 6 months

Date of posting: 14 June 2022

Applications close: 28 June 2022

Background

The UN Communications Group is the UN in South Africa’s team of communication officers and specialists from the 17 agencies present in South Africa. The aim of the group is to raise the visibility of the work of the UN, raise awareness about issues of concern in the country and globally as well as to measuring the impact of outreach campaigns, events and activities.

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the UNCG secretariat which is UNIC Pretoria, the Communications Intern will support the management and implementation of the UNCG workplan, promote public and media outreach, and actively use media monitoring tools to measure the visibility of the work of the UN in the media as well as the impact of campaigns and activities. The Communications Intern will support the UNCG by working in close collaboration with fellow communication professionals to actively achieve these goals.

The UNCG’s communication strategy constitutes the global communication priorities as well as the local priorities as set out in the UN Sustainable Development Framework between the UN and the government of South Africa. To this end, the communication group is looking to employ a full-time intern who is interested in gaining experience and providing support to this work. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNCG Secretariat, the intern will undertake the following tasks:

• Daily media monitoring;
• Assists with the production of communication products including newsletters, bulletins, pamphlets, and other visibility and knowledge products.
• Assists with producing issues-based and human-interest stories for the UN south Africa website and UNCG newsletter, InFocus, that communicate the work of the UN in South Africa.  
• Assists with managing the UN South Africa digital communications strategy and updating UNSA website content and profiles on social networks (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter) with information about project activities and events;
• Assists with administration and planning;
• Assists in creating a knowledge repository of communication-related aspects for the organization;
• Assists in with event planning, as well as providing communications support such as photography/videography, developing social media toolkits, and communications plans;
• Assists in communications-related administrative processes such as procurement of external services, software, and other relevant admin-centred functions;
• and performs any other duties as required.

Furthermore, interns are encouraged to:

• Increase their understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals and South Africa’s National Development Plan;
• Share their academic knowledge of communications for development with Country Office staff and other UN Agencies in South Africa.

Competencies

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of other South African languages will be an added advantage.
• Good organisational skills;
• Good inter-personal skills;
• Excellent computer literacy in standard software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Knowledge of video and digital editing software will be an added advantage
• Proficiency in the use of digital and social media platforms;
• Good research and analytical skills;
• Ability to work independently and as a team member;
• Sensitivity to political, cultural and national differences and adaptability to multicultural environments.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Applicants to the UNCG internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Have graduated with qualifications in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or related fields.

Experience:

• Relevant experience in similar positions, public relations, communications, or journalism would be an added advantage.

Duration of Internship Assignment:

• The duration of the internship will last for six months.

Internship Conditions:

A few key points regarding internships with UNDP:

• Interns will receive a monthly stipend.
• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of their internship with UNCG and must provide a medical certificate of good health prior to starting the internship.
• UNCG accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal effects that may occur during the internship. 
• The intern must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan.

• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UN South Africa but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

Application procedure:

• Applications including an updated CV and cover letter should be forwarded to info.pretoria@unic.org with the subject line: UNCG internship vacancy application.