Graduate Professional (Strategic Communications)

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research – UNIDIR is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institute within the United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international community to develop the practical, innovative ideas needed to find solutions to critical security problems. UNIDIR offices are located in the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

This Graduate and Professional Programme position is full-time (40 hours/week) with duty station in Geneva. 

The Graduate and Professional Programme (GPP) has a duration of six months.

Duties of the Graduate Professional include, but are not limited to:

• Support UNIDIR advocacy and outreach activities to internal and external audiences
• Support the communications team in the organization of media outreach activities 
• Support the communications team in organizing internal and external events
• Provide video and photographic material of Geneva based events for UNIDIR’s digital media channels 
• Engage with UNIDIR programme teams, specifically related to website updates, publication launches, and generating multimedia materials 
• Support the preparation of outreach material such as newsletters and presentations
• Perform other tasks

Competencies

Core competencies are the skills, attributes and behaviours which are considered important for United Nations staff, regardless of their function or level, as well as Graduate Professionals. The Core Competencies for Graduate Professionals at UNIDIR include:

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

Education

To qualify for a GPP with the United Nations Graduate and Professional Programme, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or
• be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
• have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must commence the graduate professional programme within a one-year period of graduation.

Preference will be given to applicants with post-graduate degree qualifications relevant to the Institute’s specific current needs, for instance in fields relating to communications and international affairs, but other disciplines will also be considered.

Work Experience

• Professional work experience is not required for participation in the programme, but applicants should have interest in and experience of strategic communications, including:

• Experience with event photography, including image editing software (such as Photoshop) is desirable.
• Experience in content creation for various communication channels (e.g. social media, website, blogs, newsletters) is desirable, including development of multimedia content such as videos or images using design applications (e.g. Canva).
• Experience in social media management (including scheduling, monitoring, engagement and analysis) and web management (including content management systems such as WordPress and reporting tools like Google Analytics). 
• Experience in media relations including compiling and maintaining media contact lists, preparation and distribution of press kits, monitoring of media coverage is desirable.
• General research and presentation experience and skills are desirable.
• Experience with and exposure to marketing, the UN system, and international affairs is preferred, and applicants should have a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter.
• Ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

• For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
• Knowledge of French and other official UN languages is desirable.