United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
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Position description
Duties and Responsibilities Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system.
UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.
The Local2030 Coalition is the United Nations system-wide initiative to support the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Secretariat, hosted in Bilbao, coordinates joint action, leverages local solutions, and drives strategic communications to accelerate SDG implementation at the local level.
Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Communications Officer, the Knowledge Management & Communications Support intern will provide operational and administrative assistance to streamline digital asset management, structure internal and external communications repositories, support international media monitoring and reporting, assist with web and data visualization tasks, and facilitate smooth team workflows.
Responsibilities
- Knowledge management, asset architecture, and branding compliance:
- Categorize, tag (including metadata, captions and copyright), and archive photo, video and multimedia assets to ensure taxonomy and usage rights compliance.
- Structure and maintain the Communications Unit SharePoint/Hub, maintaining organized folders for press releases, talking points, FAQs, human-interest stories, graphic design assets, and publications.
- Store, organize, and distribute official communications resources, ensuring compliance with UN/UN-Habitat and Local2030 Coalition branding guidelines.
- Strategic messaging, high-level briefings, and Hubs network support:
- Assist in organizing and archiving corporate messaging, speech drafts, Q&A documents, and high-level briefing packages for easy access during missions.
- Support the development and regular updating an structured contact lists of focal points from Local2030 Hubs, Coalition UN Member Entities, Steering Committee communications desks, and partner networks.
- Web and data analytics assistance:
- Assist in reviewing, editing, and quality-checking content, articles, and knowledge materials submitted by internal and external contributors before publication on the Local2030 website.
- Compile web traffic analytics, monitor keyword performance, and track SEO metrics to evaluate website engagement and content reach.
- Assist in gathering quantitative and qualitative data (surveys, campaign reach, event analytics) and prepare preliminary charts, tables, and graphs for data-driven reporting.
- International media relations and communications impact reporting:
- Assist in daily/weekly tracking of global developments relevant to sustainable development, multilevel governance and SDG localization and major UN announcements.
- Maintain an updated database of international media outlets, journalists, and press desks interested in SDG localization.
- Collate performance metrics across digital campaigns, web traffic and media pickups to help draft monthly and quarterly communications impact reports.
- Internal communications and administrative operations:
- Assist in drafting, editing, and distributing internal messages, periodic team communications, and Secretariat updates.
- Help design and test creative ways to keep the Secretariat team informed, connected and engaged (e.g., visual monthly highlights, interactive Teams channels, quick video recaps).
- Support coordination between the Communications team and other Secretariat teams to gather internal news, mission highlights, and project updates.
Qualifications
Applicants must at the time of Application, meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher),
- Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent),
- Have graduated with Bachelor’s degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent.
Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite).
Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.
Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
Preferred areas of study: Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D. programme in Knowledge Management, Communications, Information Science, International Relations, Journalism, Data Analytics, or related field.
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.
Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Masters or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelors, Masters 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.
Proficiency in computer software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams) is required.
Experience or familiarity with managing structured file systems, digital asset libraries, databases, or tracking web/media analytics is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Spanish is desirable. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Additional Information
Do you have any previous UN internship experience? If yes, please indicate the UN entity and the specific dates.
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.
Application instructions
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