MY WORLD COMMUNICATIONS YOUTH ADVOCATE (INTERNSHIP)

MY WORLD COMMUNICATIONS YOUTH ADVOCATE (INTERNSHIP)

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Application Deadline :

23-Aug-13

Type of Contract :

Internship

Post Level :

Intern

Languages Required :

English  

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

02-Sep-2013

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months PART-TIME

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months PART-TIME

Background

The United Nations Millennium Declaration was adopted in 2000 by world leaders, committing their countries to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and setting out time-bound goals on meeting the needs of the world’s poorest. These goals, to be achieved by 2015, formed the basis for what are now known as the eight Millennium Development Goals, which have been broken down into 21 quantified targets that are measured by 60 indicators.

As was outlined in the report of the Secretary to the general Assembly in September 2011, the UN system’s process of developing a new frame work post 2015 is likely to have the best development impact if it emerges from an inclusive, open and transparent process with multi-stakeholder participation. UN Millennium Campaign has for the last 8 years led UN efforts to build partnerships with civil society, private sector and citizens to contribute to the achievement of the MDGs. This has been done through the use innovative communications campaigns, advocacy, social mobilization and policy dialogue. The focus has been to seek to influencing policy, the generation, allocation and effective use of resources, ways of working and the democratic governance environment to accelerate the progress toward MDG achievement.

In this regard, the UN Millennium Campaign is taking the lead in designing and implementing a strategy for outreach to stakeholders; both within and outside the UN including key leaders across civil society. Our post-2015 outreach is an attempt to bring the voice of citizens, civil society and the myriad of other stakeholders directly into the debates and conversations that will shape the development agenda.

MY World, a global options survey, has been designed and developed to ask citizens what would make the most difference to their lives and that of their families. It will be disseminated through different channels to ensure both scale (to create political and media traction) and representativeness (for credibility of the results). The outcome of the Phase I will be to present regular analyses of the results to the High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda to inform their work. It is envisaged that MY World will continue to 2015 and help to develop an engaged constituency to strengthen accountability for the next development agenda.

By September, we are hoping to receive One Million Votes on the survey in order to enhance our legitimacy and ability to influence the post-2015 development agenda. During the General Assembly in September 2013 the UN Millennium Campaign will host an exhibition on MY World that will provide an overall summary of the results of the survey so far, so that individuals and global leaders have the opportunity to learn which priorities have been selected in different parts of the world, to inform the negotiation of the coming agenda.

Building on the expertise of the UNMC and as part of the Youth advocate team, the intern selected is expected to play a leading role in terms of UNMC communications. Applicants should have a background in communication, CSO outreach, student mobilization and/or social media engagement. The candidate is expected to be active on social media and motivated in providing substantive support to the campaign. The candidate is expected to be a native speaker of the English language and any other language will be considered an asset.

At least a total of 25 hours per week of work is required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected:

Under the supervision of the UNMC Communications team, the communication intern is expected to contribute to the following results:

• Controlling all MY World social media sites and the End Poverty Now portal;
• Editing videos for the Partner recognition event, to be held during the General Assembly;
• Organizing and manage materials and posts on all UNMC and MY World social media;
• Maintaining a centralized repository storage of MY World’s communication material (pictures, video, etc.);
• Bringing activists, bloggers and tweeters together around post 2015 choices, web platforms, and social media accounts;
• Writing and arranging the MY World newsletter featuring stories from around the world;
• Providing support to the media aspects related to the MY World exhibit and events for the General Assembly;
• Provide design and layout support, including support to the UNMC’s communication team in the rolling out of the Mark a Difference campaign at the country level.

Deliverables:

• Assist in the production, roll out and general support of the MY World exhibition during the General Assembly.
• Edition of 11 short videos;
• Production of our monthly newsletter;
• Maintenance of all My World social media site and End poverty now portal.

Competencies

Core competences:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional competences:

• Demonstrated ability to interact with individuals of different national and cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes the willingness to understand different views and opinions;
• Ability to work under pressure, to prioritize and to show a spirit of initiative and a capacity to work in an independent way with limited supervision;
• Self-management and emotional intelligence;
• Excellent communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Enrollment in graduate-level degree programme in communication studies;
• Have completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree, if pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages.

Experience:

• Experience in video editing and basic design skills;
• Experience in CSO and media outreach;
• Understanding of political issues in the region of intervention;
• MS Office skills; Generally excellent computer skills;
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), good knowledge and experience in handling of web based information management systems and web design is an additional asset;
• High degree of organization and initiative;
• Ability to multi-task and work independently.

Language:

• Native speaker of the English language;
• Any other language is an asset.

Important information:

UNDP may accept interns provided the following conditions are met:

• Interns are not financially remunerated by UNDP;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for the medical and life insurance of the intern or costs arising from accidents and illness incurred during an internship;
• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

Only a successful candidate will be required to submit the following nine documents:

• A completed UNDP internship application form ( http://www.undp-act.org/data/articles/undp_internship_application_form_2008.doc);
• A copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
• A letter from his/her university confirming current enrollment and graduation date;
• A copy of his/her school transcript;
• A letter of recommendation from a professor;
• A signed UNDP Internship Agreement;
• A Medical Certificate of Good Health;
• Proof of medical insurance including provision for medical evacuation and removal of mortal remains or life insurance;
• Copy of passport and US Visa/ US Identity Card.

Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.