Unpaid Internship - Junior Gender Affairs Officer

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION

ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems.

ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.

Unpaid Internship - Junior Gender Affairs Officer

Vacancy notice no: 2384
Sector: SG
Department:
Country of contract: Switzerland
Duty station: Geneva

Position number: [[positionNumber]]
Grade: [[PositionGrade]]
Type of contract: Internship
Duration of contract: 6 months
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 10 August 2026

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

The General Secretariat directs administrative, human and financial resources and activities of the Union, including the implementation of the provisions of the administrative regulations on operational questions, the dissemination of information on telecommunication/ICT matters for operational and other purposes, and the provision of legal advice to the whole of the Union. The General Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the Strategic Plan, monitors the telecommunication/ICT environment and recommends as needed action relating to the Union’s future policies and strategy. The General Secretariat ensures inter-sectoral coordination and cooperation to advance a whole of ITU approach (One-ITU) in headquarters and the field. The General Secretariat provides logistical and information technology support to the Union’s activities including conferences and global forums; the coordination of the work of the Union with the United Nations system, and other international organizations; and the engagement of the Member States, Sector Members, and Academia. The General Secretariat manages corporate governance, and strategic communications and relations with the media, different stakeholder groups as well as the general public.

TERMS OF REFERENCE Within the Gender and Youth Office, under the guidance of the Associate Gender Affairs Officer and the overall supervision of the Senior Advisor on Gender and Youth to the Secretary-General, the intern will support the implementation of ITU’s gender equality’s mandate and portfolio, with a particular focus on the ITU Gender Champions programme, ITU Network of Women Coordination Hub and gender-related events and communications.
• Participate in the implementation of the Gender and Youth Office’s gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives, with a particular focus on the ITU Gender Champions programme, including the selection of the champions, the implementation of the programme activities, preparation of materials, and support to communications and outreach.
• Assist in the coordination and implementation of the internal ITU Network of Women Coordination Hub.
• Support the planning and delivery of gender-related events and activities including the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, International Women's Day, Girls in ICT Day, and support ITU’s engagement in global forums such as the Commission on the Status of Women, AI for Good Summit and WSIS Forum.
• Support with the coordination of EQUALS Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the digital age when needed.
• Support the drafting and updating of reports, briefing notes, presentations, communications materials and other written outputs on gender equality and digital inclusion for internal and external audiences.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong interest in gender equality, women’s leadership, digital inclusion, technology policy and sustainable development.
• Good organizational skills and ability to support the coordination of several activities, events and workstreams at the same time.
• Demonstrated experience using WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, social media platforms, newsletter tools and other digital communications applications.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office tools, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to conduct basic research, summarize information and support the preparation of reports, briefing notes and presentations.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and interact professionally with colleagues, partners and external stakeholders.

QUALIFICATION REQUIRED

• Education: University degree or still studying in gender studies, international relations, development studies, communications, public policy, political science, social sciences, digital policy or a related field will be favorably considered during the selection process.

• Experience: No work experience required. Previous experience or demonstrated interest in gender equality, digital inclusion, communications, event coordination, youth empowerment or international organizations would be an advantage.

• Languages: English at advanced level. Knowledge of another UN language, in particular French, would be an advantage.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

Unpaid internship.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ITU Internship Requirements:
To be eligible for an internship at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), candidates must:
• Be under 30 years of age (Exceptions may be considered for candidates pursuing a Ph.D.).
• Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate programme, or be a recent graduate(within six months prior to the start of the internship).
• Be a citizen of a Member State of ITU.

Please note that a non-remunerated internship at ITU does not carry the same conditions of employment as a short-term or fixed-term position. Medical insurance, travel, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.

INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU Careers website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.