Internship in Communications

Grade:Internship 

Publication date:15 April 2024
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 29 April 2024

Vacancy no.:

Job ID:  11856

Department:  EMPLOYMENT
Organization Unit:  DMCU
Location: Geneva, Switzerland  
Duration of contract: 3 to 6 months (starting on the 1st or the 15th of a given month)

You are applying to the ILO generic internship roster, which is published several times per year. The roster will be made available to all departments and field offices, which will then select and directly contact suitable candidates. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, the ILO does not inform candidates about the status of their application. 

ILO Internship Programme provides an opportunity for talented individuals to:

(a) increase understanding of relevant issues at the international level by involving them directly in the work of the Office and the application of ILO principles, programmes and strategies;

(b) gain practical experience with the ILO directly related to their field of study.

The internship programme is not intended to lead to a career in the ILO. There should be no expectation of further employment at the end of the internship.

**Please note that you can apply to a maximum of three internship profiles during the current application period. If you apply to more than three internship profiles, your application will not be considered for any profile.** Note that you may withdraw your candidature at any time via the Jobs Applied section of your profile.

It is highly recommended that you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid last minute technical issues or delays. Late applications will not be considered.

The ILO values diversity. We welcome applications from candidates, particularly from non- or under- represented member States from the following countries: https://jobs.ilo.org/content/Non--and-under-represented-member-States/?locale=en_GB

Qualified candidates from those countries may be eligible for a special fund that provides financial assistance for round-trip airfare (economy class) in addition to the stipend.

The ILO also encourages applications of persons with disabilities. If needed, reasonable accommodation will be provided to candidates with disabilities in the recruitment phase as well as during the internship to promote equality of opportunities. For assistance, please send an e-mail to internship@ilo.org

IMPORTANT:
Please only apply for an internship if you fulfil the following two criteria:

(1) You have no close relative serving in the ILO.

(2) This is your first internship with the ILO (only one internship is permitted).

The Employment Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department  (EMPLOYMENT) is responsible for promoting full and productive employment by developing integrated employment, development and skills policies that maximize the employment impact of economic growth, investment and development and which are inclusive, gender sensitive, productive and sustainable. 

At the global level, the Department advocates and promotes policy frameworks and partnerships that aim at generating more quality employment opportunities. At the country level, the objective is to support the ILO constituents to develop, implement and monitor coordinated and context specific policies and programmes that promote quality job creation through economic diversification and investment strategies, skills development for present and future needs in the labour markets and labour market activation and intermediation that integrate the most vulnerable groups. These include policies and programmes facilitating transition to formality for the large segments of population working and earning their livelihoods in the informal economy and employment and income opportunities in the rural economy.

Guided by relevant Conventions and Recommendations, the Department develops new approaches and policy tools and disseminates them through policy advisory, capacity building and technical cooperation activities in a range of inter-related areas at global level and across countries and regions. The Department delivers on its mandate through work in three Branches: Skills and Employability; Employment and Labour Markets Policies Branch; and the Development and Investment Branch.

The intern will assist in helping to better communicate about, and raise the visibility of knowledge products, projects and initiatives supported by the Department.

The intern will report to the Head of the DMCU and the Communications Manager for EMPLOYMENT.  

Among the services provided by the Employment Department’s Management and Coordination Unit (DMCU) to its branches are support and guidance on communications and public information strategies and information dissemination. This includes but is not limited to overseeing production of multimedia products, development of strategies for selected initiatives, promotion of events on social media, and more.

As an intern in communications, you would be gaining practical experience working under the direction of the Senior Communications Officer for the DMCU in delivering a wide range of high-quality communications products. Your tasks under this internship include:

• Assist in providing communications support for events and initiatives planned by the department, including launch of new knowledge products and major reports planned for 2024, 20%;
• Assist in the preparation of communications and advocacy materials for promoting events, initiatives, and knowledge products (including new videos, Q&As, podcasts, abstracts for policy briefs and information notes, etc...) 25%;
• In line with management priorities, propose and feature knowledge products and themes that help support dynamic and “demand driven” content on the department website and related “Topics” portals, 10%;
• Using established measurement metrics such as Google, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn Analytics, prepare periodic brief impact reports based on visits to the Employment-related pages of the ILO website (visitors per month, clicks or views on knowledge products, geographic location of visitors, among others), social media post engagements, and suggest recommendations for improvements to the communications strategy, 15%;
• Help manage established social media platforms, including drafting original posts for social media, in particular, for X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, 20%;
• Undertake, as required, any other duties assigned by the Head of DMCU/Employment and in collaboration with the Senior Communication Officer for the department. (10%)

Studies in social sciences, economics, law or communications would be an advantage. The candidate should be enrolled in their final year of graduate degree programme or should have completed such a programme no more than one year ago.

Experience of social media platforms, either in a work environment or personal capacity and experience in design tools such as Canva (making graphics etc) is a plus.

Excellent communication skills, oral and written in English. Working  knowledge of at least one of the ILO’s official languages (French, Spanish would be a plus).

Adaptable to an international, multicultural, and multilingual environment, good communication skills and be able to work in a team.

How to apply:

1. Search for an internship profile via the page on ILO Jobs 

2. Select the internship profile you would like to apply for, and create a profile on ILO Jobs 

3. Complete your candidate profile and apply to the internship profile

4. Be sure to attach a cover letter in the last section of the application, as applications without a cover letter will not be considered and you cannot attach a cover letter after the deadline. 

Selection process:

Following a first screening by the Human Resources Development Department (HRD), hiring departments will short-list applicants. You will be directly contacted should an internship opportunity match your profile. If you have not been contacted by any department within six months after your application, you can consider that you have not been selected by any department for this roster. If still eligible, you may apply to the next roster. 

If shortlisted, you may be contacted by the hiring department for a written test and/or interview. The ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Stipend:

As an intern in Geneva, you will receive a stipend of 2450 CHF per month from the ILO, unless you receive funding through another institution (for example your university or a foundation). If you receive partial funding, ILO will cover the difference to ensure you receive 2450 CHF per month. Your travel to Geneva will be at your own expense.In addition to the amounts referred above, each intern shall receive the amount of CHF45 per month, or the equivalent amount in the currency in which the monthly stipend is paid, which is a contribution from the Office towards the cost of medical insurance to cover the period of the internship.

Insurance:

Please note that the ILO does not take responsibility for any costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the internship. You will be responsible for your own insurance coverage for illness and accidents for the duration of the internship at the duty station (whether Geneva or the field).

Fraud warning:

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.