Intern - Communication, Fukuoka, Japan

Work Location

In-person, Fukuoka, Japan

Expected duration

6 months

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. UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific was established in 1997 in Fukuoka, Japan. ROAP oversees 15 country offices and engages in 42 countries in the region. Countries with UN-Habitat Offices include Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, India, Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Internships are deployed in the Regional Office and in most country offices, subject to demand and security. This internship is to be based at the Regional Office in Fukuoka, Japan.

UN-Habitat's Strategic Plan 2026-2029 centers around three interconnected impact areas:

1. Equitable and Inclusive Prosperity for Poverty Eradication Adequate housing as a driver of stability, opportunity, and economic growth.
2. Environment and Climate Action Promoting sustainable housing design, land use, and urban planning to reduce emissions and enhance climate resilience.
3. Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Reconstruction Ensuring housing and services support displaced populations and post-crisis recovery.

Note: This position is open for the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) in Fukuoka, Japan

Responsibilities

Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a UN-Habitat staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned. The internship offers an exciting and vibrant learning environment for the intern due to the close linkage between local and country-level technical assistance and normative work at the county and/or regional level. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and the needs of the unit where the intern is placed. The intern reports to one of the Substantive Officers overseeing their country and thematic areas of work.

The intern will focus his/her work on one or more of the following thematic and operational areas of ROAP:

• Support to country-level and sub-regional programmes
• Support to Project/Programme Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation
• Support to Research, Publications, Communication

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in researching, drafting, editing, and proofreading web stories, newsletters, publications, and other communication materials.
• Support the management and regular updating of website content.
• Assist in creating, scheduling, and publishing content for social media and other digital platforms.
• Support the development of multimedia products, including graphics, infographics, presentations, photographs, and short videos.
• Conduct research and compile information on sustainable urban development and other topics relevant to UN-Habitat’s work in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Monitor digital engagement and assist in compiling website and social media analytics.
• Support communication and outreach activities for meetings, events, campaigns, and international observances.
• Help maintain communication databases, mailing lists, editorial calendars, and digital media archives.
• Liaise with ROAP country teams and partners to collect stories, photographs, and other communication materials.
• Undertake other related assignments in support of the development and implementation of ROAP’s work programme.

Qualifications/special skills

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: Communications / Public Relations / Journalism / Media Studies / Digital Communication/ or a related field, together with strong written and verbal communication skills.

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), 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.

Good communication skills are required, including virtual meeting settings and when making documents and presentations or producing social media content. Good research skills in the field of sustainable urban development or (the social dimension of) climate change are 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 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.

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.