The Position:

Under the direct supervision of the Communications and Partnership Analyst, the intern will support the UNFPA Maldives Country Office team in the areas of strategic communications initiatives. This includes contributing to website content, conducting interviews, crafting compelling editorials and managing social media platforms. In addition to these, the intern will assist in the implementation of the communication and advocacy strategy. A work-plan with achievements for the duration of the Internship and learning opportunities will be agreed upon. Periodic progress meetings will lead to a beneficial environment for the Intern enhancing her/his skills and capacity in areas related to UNFPA’s mandate.

About UNFPA and How You Can Make a Difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

You would be responsible for:

1. Communications and Content Creation

Responsibilities:

The intern will provide support to the Communications Unit in implementing its 2026 work plan, along with related administrative, logistics, and coordination tasks. Her/his responsibilities will include:

• Drafting and editing content for UNFPA platforms, including news stories, human-interest stories, website updates, briefs, captions, and social media copy;
• Supporting the collection and organization of quotes, key messages, and background information for stories and communications packages;
• Contributing to UNFPA 50 years storytelling and visibility materials, such as short profiles, impact snapshots, story leads, timelines, and social media series;
• Supporting the development and maintenance of a content calendar and posting schedule;
• Assisting in preparing posts for social media channels, including formatting, captioning, and coordination of translations where relevant;
• Supporting communications preparation for events, including invitations, agendas, talking points packs, media notes, live coverage support, and post-event highlights;
• Supporting media monitoring and compilation of weekly or monthly coverage summaries, and organizing communications assets and internal trackers;
• Providing administrative support for routine communications workflows, including minutes, filing, consolidating comments, formatting documents and presentations, and other relevant tasks as required.

Qualifying for an Internship

All interns must meet the following educational and other eligibility requirements:

• Candidates must be enrolled in a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree programme in Communications, Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Marketing, Development Studies, Health, or a related field; or have graduated within the last 12 months.

Experiences:

• Some experience working with development agencies, including in a volunteer capacity, is an asset.
• Fluency in English. Dhivehi language skills are an advantage.
• Strong writing, editing, and organizational skills.
• Initiative, sound judgment, digital literacy, and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds.

Other eligibility requirements

• Demonstrate interest in the field of development and communications;
• Demonstrate ability to adapt to new environments and to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.
• An individual whose father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister is a UNFPA staff member is not eligible for an internship with UNFPA.

Learning Elements:

1. Upon completion of the assignment, and depending on its duration, the Intern will gain the following knowledge assets:
2. Increased understanding of UNFPA and the role of communications in programme visibility, advocacy, and partnerships
3. Understanding of the UNFPA mandate, policies, and country office context
4. Familiarity with UNFPA governance, coordination, and reporting processes
5. Practical experience in content development, media monitoring, and event communications
6. Understanding of digital communications workflows, asset management, and outreach planning
7. Experience using UN technical language, working procedures, and coordination mechanisms
8. Enhanced ability to draft and package substantive communications documents
9. Networking experience with UN colleagues, partners, and stakeholders
10. Work experience as a team member in a multicultural setting

Values:

Exemplifying integrity, 

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 

Embracing cultural diversity, 

Embracing change.

Core Competencies: 

Achieving results,

Being accountable,

Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

Thinking analytically and strategically,

Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships.

Financial Support:
Interns do not receive a salary or any other form of remuneration from UNFPA. The costs associated with an intern’s participation in the programme must be assumed either by the nominating institution, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students, or by the students themselves, who will have to meet living expenses as well as make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and other requirements. However, they receive a stipend to help cover basic daily expenses related to the internship, if not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation, or scholarship programme. The stipend is based on the intern’s agreed place of work, which may be different from the duty station of the hiring office in cases of remote arrangements.  The stipend is normally paid in local currency at the end of each month.

In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship. Proof of insurance will need to be submitted before the internship begins. UNFPA does not provide medical insurance for interns.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts. 

How to Apply:

Please email your applications to maldives.office@unfpa.org

Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.