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

Job Code Title: Intern - Public Information
Department/Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Job Opening Number: 18-Public Information-OCHA-93096-J-Abuja (A)
Staffing Exercise: N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

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 ReliefWeb aims to provide reliable disaster and crisis updates and analysis to humanitarians by: collecting information from more than 4,000 global information sources around the clock; delivering content which is most relevant to ReliefWeb's global audience, includes country and disaster reports, maps, info-graphics, job announcements and learning opportunities thereby; enabling humanitarian partners to analyze context and situations and make better decisions.
• This internship will be situated within OCHA ReliefWeb office based in Bangkok, Thailand, and the intern will be under the general guidance of the Editorial Assistant with a directing reporting line to the Head of ReliefWeb office. The internship is being offered for a minimum period of three (3) months, with a possibility of extension up to a maximum period of six (6) months, starting on 1 April 2018.

Responsibilities

• In general, the intern will support OCHA in fulfilling its mission to coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention; and facilitate sustainable solutions.

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to:

• Supporting with editing and preparation of reports, bulletins and information products;
• Researching, analysing and presenting information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues;
• Monitoring of the local and international media for current humanitarian 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.

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.

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, is an asset. Research interest and published work on these or/and any related areas is desirable.
• 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 Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

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.