United Nations Volunteers Communications and Knowledge Management Internship
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tacking development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN Volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.
UNV managed 6,325 UN Volunteers in 2014. With an average age of 38 years and the requisite professional skills and qualifications of some 5 to 10 years relevant experience, UN Volunteers served in over 140 countries in 2014 and came themselves from over 150 nationalities. The majority, approx. 80% come from developing countries themselves. One third of UN Volunteers served in their own countries, with the others carrying out international assignments. The financial equivalent of the UNV programme activities exceeds US$235 million annually. In the Western and Central Africa Portfolio, more than 520 UN Volunteers were managed through 12 countries.
UNV is headquarters in Bonn, Germany and has approximately 150 staff positions – majority in Bonn and some positions with different UN peacekeeping and political missions, and in other Headquarters locations (e.g. New York and Tokyo). The major organizational groups within UNV are:
- the Office of the Executive Coordinator (OEC) comprising the Evaluation Unit (EU) and the Results Management Support Section (RMSS);
- the Volunteer Programming and Management Group (VPMG) comprising the Peace and Development Division (PDD), Volunteer Recruitment Resources Section (VRRS), Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation Section (VKIS);
- the Partnerships and Communications Division (PCD) comprising the Partnerships Section (PS) and the Communications Section (CS);
- the Programme Coordination Section (PCS);
- The Management Services Division (MSD) comprising the Information and Communication Technology Section (ICTS), Finance Section (FS), Human Resources Section (HRS), and the Administration Unit (AU). Additionally the Common Services Unit (CSU) provides support to the UN presence in Bonn.
The UNV Peace and Development Programming Sections oversee and implement UNV’s country programmes and operations. They advocate for the integration of volunteerism in peace and development at global, regional and national levels, targeting specific focus areas in which the role of volunteerism adds significant value.
They mobilize volunteers to support the peace and development agenda of UNV partners, including national volunteerism interventions as well as proactive mobilization of UNV and other volunteers. They ensure quality volunteer management of UN Volunteers.
They work to promote advocacy for volunteerism, support the documentation of the contribution of volunteerism to peace and development and target national development fora, governments and parliaments with a view to influencing national policies, legislation, statutory frameworks and budget in order to promote volunteerism for peace and development.
Both groups focus on both “Development” and “Peace” issues and areas. However, the Development Programming Section (DPS) oversees the “predominantly development” countries, and the Peace Programming Section (PPS) oversees the “predominantly conflict-affected” countries.
Both Peace and Development Programming Sections work through Portfolio Teams. Each Portfolio Team is responsible for the implementation of the UNV programme strategy, including volunteer and programme management, at global, regional and local levels and work closely with the Regional Managers and their teams and the Field Units (FU) pertaining to the Portfolio.
Recruitment Qualifications
Education
Currently enrolled in a Masters’ degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Communications, Public or Business Administration, Economics or a related field;
Language Requirements
Fluency in English and French; knowledge of Spanish an asset
Other Competencies
Very good written communications skills;
Experience from developing communications and knowledge products;
Proven, strong experience from effectively managing and using social media tools;
Experience from translation between English and Spanish; Proficiency in MS-Office (Word, Power Point, Excel, Outlook);
Work experience in the area of volunteerism, as well as experience in developing countries is an asset;
Graphic design skills and experience an asset. Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
A proactive attitude, with flexibility, spontaneity, initiative, an open and positive mind with a genuine desire to learn while doing and taking on new tasks;
Time management skills, an ability to prioritise and work independently and at times under pressure;
Strong interest in learning more about development cooperation and the UN Volunteers programme and its processes and tools;
and Knowledge of the UN work environment would be an advantage.
General Terms and Conditions
Applications should be submitted to Mr Paul Armand Menye (paul.menye@unv.org) including a CV and a cover letter.
The internship is based at UNV Headquarters (HQ) in Bonn, Germany.
UNDP Conditions of Service for interns apply for interns working at UNV HQ: http://www.undp.org/internships/.
The Internship Programme operates on a non-remunerative basis. Costs and arrangements for travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern.
Expected amount of working hours per week is 40 hours, exclusive of one hour off for lunch per day.
UNV accepts no responsibility for the intern's medical insurance or for costs arising from illness during the internship. Interns are required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.unv.org/en/about-us/employment/internship/vacancies.html