INTERNSHIP: Communications and Public Engagement

OVERVIEW

Type of contract : Internship

Duty Station : Headquarters, Field Offices, and Institutes

Duration of contract : 1 to 6 months

Application deadline : 31 December 2026 (Midnight)

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

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The UNESCO Internship Programme offers you practical work in a multicultural environment. Aside from helping you understand the Organization’s mandate, programmes and main thrusts, it also enhances your academic knowledge with relevant work assignments that can help you prepare for your future career.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Division for Communications and Public Engagement reports directly to the Office of the Director-General. The team oversees the implementation of the Organization’s communication strategy and ensures the coordination and delivery of communications (external and internal) to meet the sectors’ and Field Office’s needs. This includes the drafting and editing of content for the Organization’s website, press relations and press review, social media channels, communications campaigns, public events, media partnerships and publications.

Interns will have the opportunity to assist in the various projects of the Division and help assure visibility is given to all the Organization’s activities across multiple platforms, digital and traditional.

The work entrusted falls into one or more of the following domains:

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Social media

• Assist in preparation for communication and social media campaigns.
• Assist in drafting and translation or editing of social media assets.
• Assist in graphic design for social media and other digital platforms.
• Assist in on-site interview filming and postproduction.
• Assist in the creation of newsletters.
• Assist in editorial scheduling of social media assets, and social media analytics.

Web:

• Assist in the creation of new websites.
• Translation or editing of contents.
• Assist in the drafting of technical and editorial documentation.
• Upload of content on the website or other content management tools, such as Trello, etc.
• Summary/analytical tasks, assessing audience and communications impact.
• Support the creation of appropriate SEO reports.
• Web mastering, editing and graphic design.
• Assist in maintaining and improving the Web ecosystem (knowledge of programming languages and sysops skills are required).

Press:

• Monitor media coverage of UNESCO, preparing daily media reports and identifying key trends or issues.
• Support media relations by researching journalists, maintaining media contact databases, and preparing targeted media lists.
• Assist in the preparation and dissemination of press and other communication materials, including fact-checking and updating background information.
• Provide research and background information to support media outreach, campaigns, and communication activities.
• Contribute to the organization of media events, interviews, and other day-to-day operations.

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Photo:

• Participate in shooting and post-production.
• Organize and catalogue images.

Publishing and Branding:

• Provide editorial and technical assistance on publication projects.
• Help in photo research and sourcing for publications and brochures.
• Contribute to projects linked to promoting the UNESCO brand.
• Assistance on IPR issues including open access, co-publishing and licensing agreements as well as responding to permissions requests.
• Supporting the internal quality control process including checking author contracts as part of ISBN process.

UNESCO Campuses:

• Assist in the organization of thematic on-site or online conferences-debates for middle and high school classes around the world, incl. liaising with attendees and administrative support.
• Undertake research of schools around the world and contribute to the enrichment of a database.
• Participate in the development of a communication strategy and preparation of contents for social networks and UNESCO Campus web page.

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UNESCO Courier (magazine):

• Assistance in selecting, editing and publishing articles, pictures, videos via the new media.
• Review existing articles and assist with the translation and page layout online.
• Communicate with partners and facilitate the readership to the magazine.
• Contribute to development of a distribution network.
• Assist in the promotion and marketing of the magazine.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Knowledge of project management and UNESCO actions

Application of communication techniques

Advanced web architecture

Strengthen writing skills

Use of design software

Use of Content Management

Handling Press relations

Teamwork

Build up interpersonal skills in a multicultural environment.

Competencies (Core / Managerial)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Age:

You must be at least 20 years old to apply.

Academic qualifications:

You should be currently enrolled AND on the 3rd (third) year or final year of your Bachelor’s degree;

OR

You should be currently enrolled in your second university degree, Master's or PhD degree or equivalent;

OR

You must have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree no more than 12 months prior to the issuance of the Internship Agreement, as determined by the completion date indicated on your diploma.

Applicants in technical/vocational assignments must be enrolled in a specialized technical/vocational institution and must have reached the last year of their studies, or have recently graduated (within the last 12 months) from their school or institution.

Languages:

You should have an excellent command, both written and spoken, of English or French. A working knowledge of the other language (English or French) is an asset, and may be required for internships in secretarial and assistantship assignments at the Headquarters.

Computer skills:

You must have an excellent knowledge of computer systems and office-related software.

Team player:

You should be able to work well in a team and adapt to an international working environment.

Communication skills:

You should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO does not remunerate interns. There is no compensation, financial or otherwise for internship assignments.

Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month during their internship and an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship.

Interns are provided with a limited workplace insurance coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability, or death incurred during the period of the internship and directly attributable to the execution of the internship.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Candidates shall apply to this vacancy notice (or any of the available vacancy notices that match their expertise, domain, or interest). Please note that you are applying to become part of the pool of intern candidates, not to a specific internship opening.

Candidates who successfully applied will stay in the intern talent pool and will be further assessed and selected by relevant hiring managers. The candidature will be valid for 6 months. Candidates who have been selected will be contacted directly by the relevant hiring manager. If the candidate does not receive any update from UNESCO within six months, it means that the application has not been successful.

KEEP IN MIND

Duration: The minimum duration of an internship is one month, and the maximum duration is six months.

Visa: You should be responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

Travel: You must arrange and finance your travel to the location where you will undertake your internship.

Medical insurance: You must show proof of a comprehensive health insurance valid in the country where you will undertake your internship and for the entire period of the internship. UNESCO will only provide a limited workplace insurance coverage against risk of injury, illness, disability, or death incurred during the period of the internship and directly attributable to the execution of the internship.

Supporting Documents: Before the beginning of your internship, you must provide your proof of your identity (ID card or passport), Certificate of Enrollment, Transcript of Record, or Diploma (if you have just recently graduated).

Leave: Interns are entitled to 2.5 days of leave per month and an additional leave of 1 working day per complete month of internship.

Internship Agreement: UNESCO does not sign any third-party agreements or contracts (e.g., conventions de stage) provided by academic or research institutions. The internship arrangement is strictly between UNESCO and the intern. Only the official Internship Agreement issued by UNESCO will be executed and signed by UNESCO representatives.

BEFORE APPLYING

• During the application process, you will be asked to answer questions about your skills, competencies, experience (if any), and interests. You only have one hour to finish the process.
• Make sure your contact details will be valid in the next 6 months.
• You can only use either English or French in applying.
• Please provide an unofficial French or English translation of your documents if they are not in these languages.
• Even if you are eligible, there is no guarantee of placement. We receive more applications from qualified candidates than we can place.
• Please note that you are submitting your application to become part of the pool of internship candidates. Your application will be further accessed by UNESCO managers around the world and will stay in our internship portal for a period of six months.
• We do not respond to each and every candidate. If there is an internship opening and if you are selected, you will be directly contacted by the manager from the pool. If you do not receive any update within six months, it means that your application has not been successful.