Work Location

UNHQ

Expected duration

2-6 months This internship is designed to be full-time. Duties may be carried out in a hybrid manner (a combination of in-person presence and telecommuting from within the duty station at the UN Headquarters in New York). Telecommuting from outside the duty station may be considered on an exceptional basis. A part-time schedule may also be considered on an exceptional basis depending on the individual situation of the selected candidate.

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is located in the Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Division works to strengthen international cooperation for social development, focusing on poverty eradication, decent work, and social inclusion, including for persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, youth, older persons, families, and other marginalized groups. The intern will work under the supervision of a Public Information Social Officer and in close collaboration with the Division’s communications team. The intern will support communications, digital outreach and social media promotion across the full range of DISD activities, programmes, intergovernmental processes, international observances, events, campaigns and policy initiatives. Particular attention will be given to communicating and promoting follow-up to the Second World Summit for Social Development and the Doha Political Declaration, as well as major DISD intergovernmental processes in 2027, including the 65th session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD65), the 20th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP20), and the 2027 session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). Tasks may include, but are not limited to:

Support the development and dissemination of social media content for DISD activities across Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and other relevant digital platforms;
Draft social media posts, captions, key messages, short promotional texts and other digital content covering the full range of DISD activities and substantive areas;
Support social media and digital communications related to follow-up to the Second World Summit for Social Development and the promotion and implementation of the Doha Political Declaration;
Support communications and social media promotion for CSocD65, including announcements, NGO participation, side events, key messages, meeting highlights and outcomes;
Support communications and social media promotion for COSP20, including civil society participation, side events, key messages, meeting highlights and related activities;
Support communications and social media promotion for the 2027 session of UNPFII, including announcements, stakeholder participation, key messages, events and meeting highlights;
Support communications for other DISD intergovernmental meetings, expert group meetings, workshops, capacity development activities, side events and policy initiatives;
Support communications campaigns for United Nations international days and observances falling under the mandate of DISD;
Identify, develop and package content such as quotes, photos, short videos, graphics, key statistics, highlights and other materials for social media use;
Assist with the development and coordination of social media and communications calendars to ensure timely and strategic dissemination of DISD content;
Assist in identifying opportunities to cross-promote DISD content through UN DESA and other relevant United Nations social media channels;
Monitor social media engagement and performance trends and assist in assessing the reach and impact of digital communications;
Contribute ideas for increasing audience engagement and strengthening the visibility of DISD activities across digital platforms;
Support the review and updating of web and social media content to ensure accuracy, timeliness and consistency of messaging;
Assist in adapting substantive information, reports and policy messages into concise and accessible content for digital audiences; and
Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. 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. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Intern Specific text

Interns 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 Fee

THE 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.