Intern - Communications

About the Organization

ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission will be guided by ECA's five new strategic directions which are: advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and trans-boundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

The main objective is to contribute to achieving structural transformation and balanced development through implementation of an environment conducive to the creation of employment for women and young people. Its core functions are: Strengthening the capacity of member states in the sub-region to design and implement national policies and strategies for sustainable employment creation; Contributing to the implementation of sub-regional development priorities in line with the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 with due consideration for youth and gender perspectives; Improving macroeconomic and fiscal policies, and to ensure sustainable growth; Providing relevant technical assistance to member states and to regional economic communities and intergovernmental organizations in building their capacities to sustain economic, social and political transformation, with a particular focus on employment, skills and balanced development, with the aim of ensuring inclusive growth, taking into consideration access to equal opportunities for women and young people.

Job Summary

The internship is full-time in-person, but the arrangement can be further discuss with the supervisor. Expected duration: 3-6 months. The internship will be undertaken under the overall guidance of the Chief of Communication Section at the Headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa.

Key Responsibilities

The selected interns will undertake the following assignments and support the accomplishment of the related tasks:

• Support with content and draft messages for social media channels on ECA's thematic areas, such as Climate Change, Regional Integration, Innovation and Infrastructure Development and Gender; UN Days and International Days.
• Translate content for dissemination to media and on ECA platforms, including social media platforms.
• Assist in developing digital assets for web and social media platforms, such as quote cards, GIFs, videos, etc.
• Support coverage of events and draft press releases, advisories and short blogs for the ECA website and Intranet.
• Assist in media monitoring tasks and updating the media database.
• Assist with ECA's internal communications related to the priorities of the Division of Administration.
• Assist in compiling analysis, data and information on ECA thematic activities.
• Participate in conferences, webinars and events organized by the ECA.
• Perform any other duties as may be requested.

Required Qualifications

To qualify for an internship, the following condition must be met: (a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in journalism, communication, media relations, languages, digital social media or related area, or (b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent) in journalism, communication, media relations, languages, digital social media or related area. 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. Women and person with disabilities are encourages to apply.

As per the UN Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities, do you identify as a person with a disability? If yes, please specify if you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process.

Required Skills and Competencies

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English and/or French is required for the Internship Programme.
• Knowledge of another United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is desirable. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

How to Apply

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.