UNCTAD16 Internal Communications Intern in Geneva

Work LocationGeneva Expected duration2 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesUNCTAD16 Internship in Geneva, Switzerland The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva, Switzerland is seeking passionate and innovative students to join its Internal Communications team. These exciting internship positions are located in the Communications and External Relations (CER), Office of the Secretary-General. The initial period is of 2 months with starting dates as soon as possible. UNCTAD is preparing for its 16th quadrennial conference—UNCTAD16—which will take place in Geneva in October 2025. As part of the internal communications team, you’ll have the opportunity to support a global event come to life, and contribute ideas that help staff stay informed, engaged and inspired. This internship is in-person and ideal for students interested in communications, international organizations, and the dynamics of internal engagement in a multicultural workplace. UN internships are unpaid and full-time, requiring interns to work five days a week (40 hours). For in-person internships, candidates must ensure they have valid health insurance coverage in Switzerland for the duration of the internship, along with a valid visa. Interns are responsible for covering all personal costs, including travel, accommodation, medical insurance, and living expenses. Under the guidance of colleagues in the Communications and External Relations, Office of the Secretary-General, interns will: **Support internal storytelling: Assist in gathering stories, drafting short updates, and helping with the preparation of internal content that showcases the people and work behind UNCTAD16. **Contribute to digital communications: Help keep our intranet and internal channels updated and informative by proposing content ideas, checking for updates, and helping prepare materials to be published. **Participate in planning internal activations: Join team discussions on how to make UNCTAD16 more visible and engaging, from brainstorming campaign ideas to helping prepare visuals, notices, or event-related materials. More generally, interns shall: 1. Observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions, procedures and directives of the Organization notwithstanding their status as described in section 5 of the UN Internship Programme Administrative Instructions ST/AI/2020/1. 2. Provide the receiving departments/offices with a copy of all materials prepared by them during the internship. The UN shall be entitled to all propery rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to or is made in consequence of, the services provided under the internship. At the request of the UN, the interns shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to the UN in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law. 3. Respect the impartiality and independence required of the UN and of the receiving department/office and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to the UN; 4. Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the receiving department/office, they may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any other external source any information which has become known to them by reason of their association with the UN or the receiving department/office, that they know or ought to have known has not been made public. They may not use any such information without the written authorization of the appropriate official, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations also apply after the end of the internship with the UN. 5. Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the UN or on the receiving department/office and will not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the UN. There should be no expectation of employment within the UN after an internship. Interns shall not be eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, positions at the professional level and above carrying international recruitment status in the Secretariat for a period of six months following the end of their internship. Qualifications/special skillsThe United Nations internship programme is intended to expose students or recent graduates to the United Nations in order to enhance their educational experience and to help them to gain experience in the work of the Organization. Therefore, applicants to the programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: (a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or, (b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent). For these internship positions writing skills in English and French are an asset. Additionally, you have: ::Familiarity with digital communication platforms such a SharePoint and mailchimp. ::Ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse, multicultural team. ::Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or PhD Programme, or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. LanguagesThis internship values your language skills. Fluency in English and French is required, reflecting Switzerland’s multilingual culture and the international nature of UN Geneva. Additional InformationNot available. Intern Specific textInterns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.