Communications Intern (SEED)

Background

CORPORATE BACKGROUND:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results.

UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries’ efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key 2030 Agenda principle of leaving no one behind and stamping out inequality is at the core of everything we do. 

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three primary areas:

• Sustainable development
• Democratic governance and peacebuilding
• Climate and disaster resilience

In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women, minorities and the poorest and most vulnerable.

INTERNSHIP OFFICE BACKGROUND:

The Philippine Government has embarked on a new development agenda through the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, which is anchored on the 8-point socioeconomic agenda of the current administration. The PDP 2023-2028 emphasized, through the inclusion of a National Evaluation Agenda, the key role of evaluation in (a) informing further articulation of the PDP and implementation of programs; (b) conveying progress achieved against priority areas of investment; and (c) promoting transparency and accountability by making evaluation results accessible to all branches of government, and most importantly, to the public. 

To support this, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) partnered with UNDP Philippines on a Technical Assistance (TA) project that aims to further strengthen the government’s evaluation capacity in line with the finalization of the government’s National Evaluation Agenda. The Strengthening Evaluation for Evidence-based Development (SEED) project aims to support the Philippine government in further strengthening its evaluative culture towards evidence-based decision making, good governance, and accountability. Through SEED, UNDP will commission impact evaluations on flagship government programs/projects, conduct structured coaching and mentoring sessions to boost evaluation capacity of government staff, and provide technical advisory services in producing evaluation knowledge products.  

In particular, the project will deliver the following: a) impact evaluations of government flagship programs and projects; b) development of evaluation training modules; c) conduct of trainings with government evaluation staff, and d) technical support for structured coaching and mentoring sessions with NEDA in producing evaluation knowledge products. The project works not only with NEDA, which leads the evaluation function in the government, but also with key government implementing agencies.  

Under the general supervision of the Project Manager, the Communications Intern will assist and support the Communications and advocacy efforts of SEED including overall assistance for the M&E Network Forum. Other tasks, such as but not limited to programmatic and operational tasks, may also be performed by the intern. The intern will work in close collaboration with various stakeholders of the project, including programme and communications staff, government sector stakeholders, NEDA, CSOs, and communications units of both the Country Office in the Philippines. 

Duties and Responsibilities

DUTIES  AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Communications – 75%

• Support in co-designing the communications plan with partners and co-creating communications materials
  • Support the execution of the communications plan and other SEED project initiatives;
  • Support the creation and management of a communications calendar for the SEED project 
• Lead in the development of 
  • visual communication products such as presentations, infographics, and social media cards; 
  • multimedia products such as animations, videos, and interactive content; 
  • layout design of knowledge products, training modules and project related briefers 
• Monitor engagement and insights of communication materials; 
• Support content creation (teasers, event highlights, press releases, newsletters, etc.) for project related social media channels;

2. Events Management – 20%

• Provide administrative and logistical support to the organization of dialogues, presentations, meetings, and other events; 
• Support in the documentation of events.

3. Other – 5%

• Support other/ad hoc activities related to the SEED project as requested by the supervisor.

Competencies

Other competencies and attitude:

• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
• Shows initiative and thinks out-of-the box with a goal-oriented mindset;
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities; 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view; and
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude showing willingness to learn.

Required Skills and Experience

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational requirements:

• Currently in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree; or
• Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree; or
• Have graduated no longer than 1 year ago from Master’s degree or equivalent studies

Field of study: Development Communications, Communications Research, International/Development Studies, Public Management/Administration, or any related fields is an advantage.

Digital skills: 

• Proficient user of Microsoft Office productivity tools, preferably knowledgeable in Excel functions and SharePoint
• Proficient user of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign or other design tools for development of multimedia products; and 
• Knowledge of collaborative online tools, or willing to learn their us 
• Note: Candidates must submit sample communications work – Communications plan developed and implemented; communications materials, posters, article/s, video, and infographics;

Language skills: 

• Fluency in Filipino and English required;
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

INTERNSHIP CONDITIONS:

• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• When necessary, interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• When necessary, interns may be required to join official field missions outside of the duty station, at the expense of the appropriate project; 
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• Interns must provide proof of enrolment in health insurance plan;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
• Interns are expected to work full time, but flexibility is allowed for educational programmes;
• Interns need to obtain financing for subsistence and make their own arrangements for internship, travel, VISA, accommodation, etc.
• Interns are expected to have his/her own equipment (laptop), and internet connectivity; and 
• Mobility arrangements (onsite or remote) for interns will be agreed upon by the Project Manager with selected candidates, following the policy of the UNDP Philippines Country Office.