Spotlight Initiative – Communications Intern

Background

Spotlight Initiative is the United Nations high-impact initiative to end violence against women and girls. Launched with a seed funding commitment of €500 million from the European Union, the Initiative represents an unprecedented global effort to invest in gender equality and women’s empowerment as a precondition and driver for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the stewardship of the UN Deputy Secretary-General, the Spotlight Initiative’s core UN agencies are UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF. Other UN agencies, funds and programmes play key roles in implementing its programmes, such as ILO under the Initiative’s Safe and Fair programme in the ASEAN region

The Spotlight Initiative is responding to all forms of violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence, sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, femicide, trafficking in human beings and sexual and economic (labour) exploitation. The Spotlight Initiative is addressing legislative and policy gaps, strengthening institutions, promoting gender-equitable attitudes, and providing quality services for survivors and reparations for victims of violence and their families. Interventions will also strengthen systems for collecting data on violence against women and girls and empower women’s movements.

The Spotlight Initiative Secretariat is seeking a Communications Intern to assist in developing Gen Z-focused social media content, campaigns and partnerships – in support of its global communications strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Assist with social media strategy implementation

• Develop social media content focused on storytelling.
• Incorporate user-generated content and interactive platform features to foster online engagement.
• Feature behind-the-scenes content to provide insight into the work of the UN.

2. Support with social media influencer engagement

• Collaborate with 2-3 Gen Z influencers and thought leaders who align with the UN’s values and goals to amplify messages and reach new audiences.
• Utilize influencers from diverse backgrounds and regions to enhance inclusivity and global outreach.

3. Review content metrics and analytics

• Regularly evaluate the performance of content and campaigns to refine strategies and optimize results.

4. Perform any duties assigned by the Spotlight Initiative Global Communications Lead or the Head of the Technical Unit

The internship will provide a unique opportunity to learn how communications and social media strategies are implemented by the United Nations at the global level.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s

Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

Functional Competencies:

• Strong understanding on social media platforms, strategy and content.
• Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style.
• Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences.
• Ability to write, research and produce communications campaigns.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University studies in one of the following disciplines: communications, international studies, journalism, mass media or other relevant subjects is required.
• Meet one of the following:

1. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent);
3. Have graduated with a university degree and, if selected, must commence the internship within a two-year period of graduation; or
4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program which is part of a degree programme and undertake the internship as part of the program requirements.

Language:

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English are required;
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Remuneration:

Interns who are not in receipt of financial support from other sources such as universities or other institutions will receive a stipend from UN Women to partially subsidize their basic living costs for the duration of the internship.

Application Information:

• All applicants must submit a completed and signed P.11 form with their application. https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form-en.doc
• Due to the high volume of applications received, UN Women can ONLY contact successful candidates.
• The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of enrollment in a valid health insurance plan at the duty station of the internship, proof of school enrollment or degree, a scanned copy of their passport/national ID and a copy of a valid visa (as applicable).

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)