UNA-UK Communications Campaigns Volunteer Intern

Role Description

December 2015

Background

UNA-UK is the UK’s leading source of independent analysis on the UN and a vibrant grassroots movement campaigning for a secure, just and sustainable world. We work with partners in government, business and civil society to further UN goals and stimulate debate on how to make it more effective. With a nationwide network of members and supporters – including over 60 local branches and 40 youth groups – a key part of our mission is to connect people in the UK to the work and values of the UN.

Two Communications and Campaigns Volunteer Interns will join the communications team at an exciting time for the organisation. Support is growing for 1 for 7 Billion – our campaign to improve the process to select the next Secretary-General - and preparations are underway for a major hustings debate with candidates in summer 2016.

The role

The position requires a combination of technical competency, communications skills and creative thinking, and will involve the following tasks (not an exhaustive list):

·  Writing updates for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, particularly for UNA-UK’s 1 for 7 Billion campaign

·  Uploading content to UNA-UK’s website and to the 1 for 7 Billion website

·  Communicating with individual and NGO supporters of the 1 for 7 Billion campaign and sharing campaigning materials and updates

·  Monitoring various news outlets including online newspapers and parliamentary websites

·  Drafting/proofing copy for a wide range of audiences

·  Assisting at UNA-UK events where necessary and providing social media support for these events

·  Inputting data into UNA-UK’s CRM database

·  Admin support to the communications team

·  The opportunity to write for New World magazine and to proof content

·  Providing internal social media reports on a regular basis

·  Support with creation and dissemination of UNA-UK’s newsletters

·  Occasional policy research relating to UNA-UK’s policy areas

Required competencies

·  Avid social media user

·  Interest in global current affairs

·  Excellent oral and written communications skills and attention to detail

·  Self-motivated, capable of working both independently and in a small team on ongoing and short-term projects

·  Experience writing for the web and social media

·  Experience updating websites using Content Management Systems (such as Drupal and Squarespace)

·  Some knowledge of the work of the UN and a basic understanding of global politics

·  Good IT skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook and Word

Desirable experience

·  Experience using social media tools (such as Hootsuite)

·  Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to distil key points out of large amounts of information quickly and accurately

·  Experience working in a busy office environment for a campaigning or membership organisation

·  Experience of parliamentary procedure and/or political campaigning

·  Experience using photo editing software (such as Adobe Photoshop)

The applicant

This volunteer internship is well-suited as a first or second step for anyone embarking on a career in the NGO or charity sector. It would also equip anyone considering jobs in communications or campaigning.

The successful applicant will be given all the information and training that they need in order to become familiar with UNA-UK and its work but an existing knowledge of the organisation and the 1 for 7 Billion campaign would be helpful.

This unique role demands a combination of technical competency with confident and creative thinking.

This placement would suit people interested in:

• Developing communications, digital campaigning and social media skills

• Developing and building on their skills in project planning, resource management and anticipating and solving problems

• Gaining experience of working in an NGO

To apply for the programme you must live in London or a reasonable commuting distance from our London office located in the Whitehall area.

Length of placement and volunteering hours

We will be flexible in our approach and discuss your hours of volunteering with you. The role will require you to be present at our London offices for two days a week (working from home will not be possible). The volunteer internship will last from 4 to 6 months with a start date to be set for 18 January 2016.

Expenses

This is not a salaried position. We will cover your day-to-day travel and lunch expenses in line with UNA-UK’s expenses policy. Lunch expenses will only be provided on days where over 3.5 hours volunteering have been completed.

What volunteer interns can expect from us

All our volunteer interns receive on-the-job training, coaching and one-to-one support. We also provide additional employability support where appropriate, such as advice on international careers, CV reviewing, interview preparation and techniques. In addition, volunteer interns are encouraged to discuss longer-term career plans with UNA-UK staff, to determine whether the Association can offer development opportunities, such as participation in relevant conferences, specific skill development (e.g. interviewing), networking experiences or introductions to UNA-UK experts and advisors. On successful completion of your placement, volunteer interns can request a reference.

What we expect from volunteer interns

We expect that you will:

·  Commit to the duration of the internship

·  Conduct yourself with respect to UNA-UK’s aims, objectives and values

·  Comply with the UNA-UK Volunteer Intern Policy

How to apply:

Please complete the Intern Application Form (appended) along with the equal opportunities monitoring form and send it to Ms Genevieve Woods at by 5pm on Monday 11 January 2016. CVs will not be accepted.

Initial Skype interviews will take place on Thursday 14 January 2016. Successful applicants will then be invited to our offices for a face-to-face interview and 30-minute test on Monday 11 January / Tuesday 12 January. The internship will commence with an induction scheduled for Thursday 21 January 2016. Please make sure you are available on these dates.

Unfortunately due to the volume of applications we receive we will only contact applicants that we wish to invite to interview and regret we will not be able to contact you if your application has been unsuccessful.

All applications for internships will be kept for six months and then destroyed confidentially.

UNA-UK VOLUNTEER INTERN APPLICATION FORM

Personal details

Title (Mr, Mrs, Ms, Miss, other)
Surname
First name
Address
Postcode
Contact telephone number
Mobile telephone number
Email address
Skype username (you must have a Skype username in order for us to progress your application)
Languages and level of ability (written and spoken)
Do you need a permit to work, intern or volunteer in the UK? / Yes / No
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence?
(Declaration subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) / Yes / No
Do you have any disabilities that might affect your application?
Please tell us if:
- there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to assist you in your application
- there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to the job itself to help you carry it out / Yes / No

Education and Training

(Secondary education onwards, please state most recent first and expand the table if necessary).

Name & address
of educational institution / Dates
(from - to) / Title of qualifications gained or courses attended / Grade achieved

Employment and Work Experience

(Please state most recent role first and expand the table if necessary).

Name & address of employer / Dates
(from - to) / Title & main responsibilities / Salary and/or other benefits / Reason for leaving /

Detail how your experience, skills and abilities meet the tasks and criteria outlined in the Intern Description. Expand the text box if necessary.

Where did you see this vacancy advertised?

Referees

Please give the names and addresses of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. We will inform you prior to contacting your referees.

Referee 1

Full name and title:
Position/relationship to applicant
Period known to applicant
Address
Postcode
Daytime telephone contact number
Email address

Referee 2

Full name and title:
Position/relationship to applicant
Period known to applicant
Address
Postcode
Daytime telephone contact number
Email address

I confirm that the above is a true and complete statement and that I understand that misstatements may be a cause for dismissal if I am appointed.

Signed: Date:

UNAUK strives to be an equal opportunities organisation

United Nations Association – UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee.

Registered in England and Wales (company reg. no. 7824306, charity reg. no. 1146016).

Registered address: 3 Whitehall Court, London, SW1A 2EL.