Intern - Public Information, I at United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - UNOCHA

Job Opening Number: 19-Public Information-OCHA-113527-J-Abuja (X)
Location: Abuja
Job Type: Temporary
Department/Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Org. Setting and Reporting

• The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the UN Secretariat department responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to complex emergencies and natural disasters. OCHA also ensures that there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort.
• OCHA Nigeria addresses and facilitates issues relating to coordination, communications and humanitarian financing, and serves the entire humanitarian community. In doing this, OCHA works with the Government of Nigeria and other counterparts. OCHA provides support to the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Nigeria. Working with the entire humanitarian community, OCHA looks to foster a conducive operating environment that facilitates the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance (both material assistance and protection assistance). Crucially, OCHA promotes compliance with humanitarian principles in the humanitarian response.
• This internship will be based in Abuja, Nigeria, and the intern shall be under the general guidance and supervision of the Head of the Communication Section. The internship is being offered for a minimum period of five (5) months, with a possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

• In general, the intern shall support OCHA Nigeria in fostering a conducive operating environment that facilitates the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance (both material and protection).
• Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to:
  • Supporting on the organization, labeling, editing of photographs from the field
  • Supporting with the organization and planning of a photography exhibition in Abuja
  • Supporting with editing and preparation of reports, bulletins and information products;
  • Researching, analysing and presenting information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues;
  • Assisting in the writing of web stories;
  • Assisting in the dissemination of information through social media (facebook, twitter etc);
  • Assisting in the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, work-shops, etc., and serving as note-taker to such events;
  • Assisting in the preparation of briefing materials/pack for high-level or donor missions;
  • Supporting the flow of information between the country office and sub-offices;
  • Performing other tasks requested by supervisor, as appropriate.

Requirements
Education:

• To qualify for an internship with the UN Internship programme, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent); or
  • Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one year period of graduation from an academic programme.
  • Applicants who are unable to commence the internship within one year of graduation shall not be accepted. The University degree must be in the area of communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or in a related field.

Work Experience:

• Applicants are not required to have professional working experience for participation in the Programme though any academic and/or practical experience in humanitarian affairs issues including humanitarian coordination, humanitarian financing mechanisms, humanitarian funding trends, gender equality programming, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development and/or human rights is desirable.
• Knowledge in graphics design would be an asset, as well as excellent writing skills in English.
• Applicants should be computer literate in standard software applications; have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations, a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter and have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Competencies:

• 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.
• 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.

Assessment
Candidates will be assessed based on their Personal History Profile (PHP). Individual interviews may be conducted by the Hiring Manager directly for further consideration. A complete online application (Cover note included in the PHP) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The cover Note must include:

• Title of degree you are currently pursuing;
• Graduation date (when will you be graduating from the programme);
• IT skills and programmes in which you are proficient;
• Explanation why you are the best candidate for the internship position.
• In your PHP, be sure to include all past work experience, if any; IT skills and three (3) references. Due to high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted.

United Nations Considerations

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
• Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
• Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
• Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
• The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines.
• Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.