The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body which assesses the state of biodiversity and of the ecosystem services it provides to people.
PBES has a collaborative partnership agreement with four United Nations entities: UN Environment, UNESCO, FAO and UNDP. The secretariat of IPBES is hosted by the German Government, located on the UN campus, in Bonn, Germany, and administered by UN Environment.
Internship-specific background
The Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Unit at IPBES is responsible for external communications, media relations, online public information and outreach to stakeholders in support of the IPBES work programme.
This internship is for a period of minimum three months. The exact period will be determined based on the availability of the intern and the needs of the secretariat. There is a possibility of an extension upto six months, subject to the intern’s on-going university enrollment and performance. The selected intern will work onsite at the IPBES secretariat in Bonn, Germany. The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be under the supervision of the Head of Communications and must have the ability to work with minimal supervision. Specific activities and responsibilities would include:
•Preparing new and updating existing written outputs such as featured articles, blog posts, Tweets, Facebook/ LinkedIn/ Instagram posts, to reflect IPBES work around the world;
•Assisting with targeted social media campaigns and preparing social media kits, including web cards and draft messages, for sharing within the wider UN system, IPBES stakeholders and relevant NGOs and agencies;
•Monitoring the IPBES LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube accounts; drafting and scheduling posts for these platforms;
•Preparing and posting audio-visual material, especially video material, across all IPBES social media platforms;
•Researching relevant posts from partners and scheduling retweets and reposts.
•Actively expanding the network of IPBES social media followers; and
•Preparing weekly update of new VIP followers (influencers).
Location:
GermanyBenefits
The selected intern will work onsite at the IPBES secretariat in Bonn, Germany. The Internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.
Eligibilities
Education
Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:
a.Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (Master’s degree or higher);
b.Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university undergraduate degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
c.Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.
In addition, applicants should possess the following skills:
d.Be computer literate in standard software applications and have experience in the use of a range of social media platforms and tools.
e.Have 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;
f.Have experience writing or participating on social media (please provide links showcasing your experience);
g.Have experience editing images or preparing graphics for social media communications.
h.Have experience engaging and building communities on social networks, particularly Twitter and LinkedIn
Preferred area of study
Studies in the fields of communication, knowledge management, journalism, design, or public relations are desired. Experience of or demonstrable interest in environmental and science issues will be an advantage.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.
Languages
For this internship, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Eligible Regions: Open for AllApplication Process
Your application for this internship should include
1. A cover letter explaining why you are interested and qualified for the internship, and what you hope to gain from the internship;
2. A completed Personal History Profile through the UN careers Portal. In your Personal History Profile (PHP), be sure to include all past work experiences, IT Skills, and three references. You are encouraged to attach your CV.
3. A proof of your current enrollment in a graduate programme or a certified copy of your degree if you already graduated.
4. Due to an envisaged high volume of applications to be received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.
5. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Application Deadline: August 8, 2017
Application ClosedOfficial link
