Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
II. ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
UNDP works in approximately 170 countries and territories, contributing to the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequality and exclusion. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnership capacities, and institutional capacities, and build resilience to sustain development results.
UNDP works to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction, and climate change. We support countries’ efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. The key principle of the 2030 Agenda—leaving no one behind and eradicating inequality—is at the heart of all our activities.
UNDP is committed to helping countries develop and share solutions in three main areas:
- sustainable development
- Democratic governance and peacebuilding, the rule of law, and human rights
- Climate and disaster resilience
In all our activities, we promote the protection of human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women, minorities, and the poorest and most vulnerable people.
III. INTERNSHIP BACKGROUND :
UNDP Côte d’Ivoire works with the Government, development partners, the private sector, civil society, young people and communities to advance sustainable and inclusive development.
The Country Office is seeking to significantly strengthen the international visibility of Côte d’Ivoire's development results and UNDP's contribution to them. This includes moving beyond institutional communications to identify compelling stories, ideas and results that can be pitched to journalists, editors and influential media platforms in Africa and internationally.
UNDP Côte d’Ivoire is therefore seeking a highly motivated Communications Intern with a strong journalism and editorial profile, excellent English-language writing skills and an interest in international media.
The intern will support the Country Office in identifying, writing and pitching stories to international media; developing op-eds and thought-leadership content; producing high-quality website and social media content; and strengthening relationships with journalists and editors.
Main Objective
The principal objective of the internship is to help UNDP Côte d’Ivoire bring compelling development stories and ideas from Côte d’Ivoire to international audiences.
The intern will contribute to:
- Identifying newsworthy stories emerging from UNDP programmes and partnerships;
- Researching and pitching stories to international journalists and media outlets;
- Developing op-eds and supporting their placement in international media;
- Producing high-quality English-language editorial content;
- Strengthening UNDP Côte d’Ivoire's website and digital presence;
- Developing engaging social media and multimedia content;
- Building and maintaining relationships with national, African and international media.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES
The intern will participate in the following tasks and responsibilities:
International Media Outreach and Story Pitching:
- Proactively identify newsworthy stories, results, innovations and human-interest angles emerging from UNDP Côte d’Ivoire's work.
- Transform programme information into compelling story ideas relevant to international audiences.
- Research journalists, correspondents, editors, publications, television networks, radio, podcasts and digital media covering Africa and international development.
- Prepare targeted and concise pitches for individual journalists and media outlets.
- Support direct outreach and follow-up with journalists and editors.
- Develop and regularly update a database of relevant national and international media contacts.
- Monitor international news agendas and identify opportunities to connect developments in Côte d’Ivoire with broader African and global conversations.
- Support interviews, media visits, press briefings and field missions.
- Track stories pitched, media engagement and resulting coverage.
Op-Eds and Thought Leadership:
- Research and draft op-eds, commentaries and opinion pieces in English, particularly for international audiences.
- Work with senior management and technical teams to transform development expertise and programme results into compelling arguments and narratives.
- Identify timely opportunities for UNDP Côte d’Ivoire to contribute to national, African and global policy debates.
- Research appropriate international publications for each proposed article or op-ed.
- Prepare pitches to editors and support submission and follow-up until publication.
- Adapt technical reports, speeches and programme documents into accessible editorial content.
- Support the preparation of talking points, speeches, key messages and briefing materials as required.
Journalism and Development Storytelling
- Conduct interviews with programme participants, young entrepreneurs, community leaders, government counterparts, private-sector partners and experts.
- Produce strong human-interest, feature and solutions-oriented stories.
- Combine personal narratives with credible data and measurable development results.
- Participate, where appropriate, in field missions to identify stories and gather interviews, photographs and other communications material.
- Identify stories from Côte d’Ivoire with the potential to resonate beyond the country and contribute to wider African and international discussions.
Priority areas may include youth employment and entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, sustainable finance, private-sector development, governance, social cohesion, women's leadership, climate action, biodiversity, blue and circular economies, innovation and other emerging development priorities.
Website, Social Media and Digital Content
- Draft, edit and publish high-quality content for the UNDP Côte d’Ivoire website.
- Help ensure that website content remains current, engaging and focused on results.
- Prepare English-language content and, where appropriate, support French-language content for social media platforms.
- Develop engaging posts, short stories, interviews and other digital content.
- Support multimedia storytelling, including short-form video, photography and interviews.
- Repurpose longer articles, reports and programme results into accessible digital formats.
- Monitor engagement and identify oportunistiek to strengthen the reach of UNDP Côte d’Ivoire's digital content.
Expected Results:
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A regularly updated database of international and national journalists and editors.
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A pipeline of strong story ideas suitable for international media.
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Regular targeted pitches to relevant journalists and publications.
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High-quality English-language articles and human-interest stories.
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Draft op-eds and thought-leadership pieces for senior management.
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Submission and follow-up of selected op-eds with international media.
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Regularly updated UNDP Côte d’Ivoire website content.
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Strong social media and digital storytelling products.
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Monitoring of media engagement, successful placements and international coverage.
Performance should be assessed not only by the volume of communications products produced, but also by their quality, reach and ability to generate meaningful media interest and publication.
Competencies
Language Skills
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
- Knowledge of French is strongly preferred and will be considered an important asset.
- Excellent English writing and editing skills, including the ability to produce publication-quality editorial content, are essential for the position
Competencies
- The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Journalistic instinct – curiosity and an ability to recognize what makes a story interesting beyond the institution itself.
- Editorial judgment – ability to distinguish between institutional information and a story that could interest an international editor.
- Exceptional writing – clear, concise, engaging and accurate writing.
- Initiative – willingness to proactively seek stories and media opportunities.
- Creativity – ability to find fresh angles and formats for communicating development results.
- Results orientation – interest in seeing stories pitched, published, read and shared, rather than simply produced.
- Professionalism – ability to engage appropriately with journalists, partners, communities and senior officials.
- Collaboration – ability to work closely with communications, programme and management teams.
Required Skills and Experience
Education :
Applicants must meet one of the following educational requirements:
- Be in the final year of a master’s program; or
- Be enrolled in a master’s program; or
- Have graduated from a master’s program or equivalent studies within the past year.
Field of Study:
Journalism; International Journalism; Media and Communications; Digital Journalism; Communications; or another closely related field
Experience:
Experience Required:
- Excellent journalistic writing and editing skills.
- Strong ability to write compellingly and accurately in English.
- Demonstrated interest in journalism, international affairs, Africa and/or international development.
- Ability to identify a strong story angle from complex or technical information.
- Strong research skills.
- Understanding of digital and social media.
- Ability to work proactively and meet editorial deadlines.
Expriences Desirable
- Previous internship or experience with a newspaper, magazine, news website, television/radio organization or other media outlet.
- Experience writing articles, features, interviews or opinion pieces.
- Experience pitching stories to journalists or editors.
- Familiarity with international media and African affairs.
- Experience with website content management and social media.
- Photography, video or other multimedia storytelling skills.
- Published journalistic work or a strong writing portfolio.
V. INTERNSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- UNDP interns receive an internship stipend.
- All expenses related to the internship are the responsibility of the intern or the sponsoring entity, with the exception of expenses related to field missions;
- UNDP accepts no liability for costs resulting from accidents and/or illness or death occurring during the internship;
- Interns are responsible for obtaining the necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will take place;
- Interns are not eligible to apply for or be appointed to a position at UNDP during the internship period;
- Interns must provide proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan;
- Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in an official capacity;
- Interns are expected to work full-time, but some flexibility is allowed for educational programs;
- Interns must secure funding for their living expenses and make their own arrangements for the internship, travel, visas, housing, etc.
Note: Please upload your CV and a cover letter
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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