Duties and Responsibilities
The Internship is in the Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery (TST), which is part of the Outreach Division of the Department of Global Communications. The Programme was established to educate about the history of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, its impact on the modern world, including racism towards people of African descent, and the importance of standing up for human rights. The Outreach Programme continues to build a network of partnerships with civil society, governments, educators and organizations involved in teaching the history of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans. Through these partnerships, the Programme has developed a range of educational resources including films and exhibits, for use at United Nations Headquarters and in the field. The internship is for a for a minimum period of four months with an opportunity for extension up to six months and the expected start date is 14 October 2024. The internship is in-person, unpaid and full-time but could also be part-time. When full time, interns work 35 hours, five days a week, and when part-time, they work less than 34 hours a week. Interns work in the United Nations Headquarters in New York under the supervision of a UN staff member to which they are assigned. The hybrid or remote setting of the internship may be considered based on request by the successful candidates. The internship is available for one candidate. #Responsibilities# Working under the supervision of the Public Information Officer, the intern will assist the TST team with its daily tasks. – Conducting internet research on thematic issues related to TST’s principles and mandate, including the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its legacies – Drafting, formatting, editing and posting original web site content/news stories, including graphics, photographs and video – Drafting social media content for TST Facebook and Twitter accounts – Assisting with planning and organization of lectures and events, including researching speakers, preparing invitations and promotional material – Maintaining TST databases – Providing general office support (processing, drafting and finalizing correspondence and other communications; setting up and maintaining files/records, organizing meetings etc. #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 the 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
Qualifications/special skills
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); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, communication, media studies, filmmaking, international relations or related field. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Applicants must be computer literate in standard software applications. A demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views is strongly desired. Skills and experience in writing, social media and multimedia production are strongly desired.
Languages
English and French are working languages of the UN Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.