Post: Web Intern
Department: Communications Unit – Partnerships and Communications Group
Location: Bonn, Germany
Duration: Three (3) months with possibility of extension
Contact person: information@unvolunteers.org

Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UNV volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity, as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.

The Communications Unit (CU) is responsible for media relations and other external communications by UNV, and provides support to other units for their external communications needs. This includes publications such as the UNV Annual Report, media channels such as the website and email newsletters, and the development of tools, guidelines and templates for use by staff and volunteers.

The Web Intern will work with the web team. This includes an opportunity to learn and apply the open-source web management tool Typo3, database systems, and other tools as required. This internship is ideal for a student of journalism, communications, marketing, design, or development, or looking to expand his/her career in the field of web development and communications.

Duties and responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Web Manager, the incumbent will:
• Assist with researching news stories and locating press review items for unv.org and worldvolunteerweb.org.
• Assist with improving the architecture of the websites.
• Assist with researching country, regional or thematic coverage on the websites.
• Identify brand inconsistencies across country office websites and assist in communicating and implementing necessary corrections.
• Add available photograph information as metadata and help to determine which photos should be archived or only used internally.  
• Assist with posting articles, photos, resources and other materials on the website.
• Assist with usability testing and user polls.
• Other tasks as may be assigned.

Learning opportunities for the intern

• General understanding of the work and mission of UNV volunteers.
• Become more familiar with working in an international organization and in a multicultural environment.
• Explore issues of modern, intergovernmental corporate communications.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Currently enrolled in a Masters degree, ideally in communications, journalism, marketing, political science or development studies, or enrolled in an equivalent university programme and will return to studies after the internship.
• Experience in the use of content management systems, HTML coding, photo editing tools and other web publishing tools desirable.
• Knowledge of desktop publishing tools, particularly Microsoft Office;
• Knowledge of Photoshop an advantage.
• A good understanding of standard and emerging web technologies, especially social networking tools and channels.
• Awareness of editorial content editing and publishing for websites.
• Awareness of Internet communications, marketing and outreach activities.
• Good oral and written communications skills and demonstrated research and communications abilities.
• Very creative, open-minded, strong initiative and a willingness to learn;
• Good knowledge of English is required; good working knowledge of any other official United Nations languages, particularly French or Spanish, are an asset.
• Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Strong interest in development cooperation and in the work of the United Nations Volunteers programme. Previous experience in developing countries is desirable. Knowledge of the UN work environment would be an advantage.

General Terms and Conditions

• Please note that the upper age limit for application is 35 years.
• The UNDP Conditions of Service for interns apply for interns working at UNV Headquarters.
• The Internship Programme operates on a non-remunerative basis. Costs and arrangements for travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern.
• UNV accepts no responsibility for the intern’s medical insurance or for costs arising from illness during the internship. Interns are required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage.