Job Description

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 - Internal Communication and Engagement (ISD/Office of the CIO)

Vacancy notice no: 2411

Sector: SG

Department: ISD

Country of contract: Switzerland

Duty station: Geneva

Position number: [[positionNumber]]

Grade: [[PositionGrade]]

Type of contract: Internship

Duration of contract: 3-6 months

Recruitment open to: External

Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 30 September 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.

Within the General Secretariat, the Information Services Department (IS) is the focal point for the ITU information technology services, managing ERP, CRM, documents, information systems and infrastructure, service-desk, library, archives and information management services, safety and security (both physical and logical), to support staff both at Headquarters and in the Field, as well as delegates attending conferences, meetings and events world-wide. It also promotes ICT collaboration, partnerships and information-sharing and represents ITU in inter-organization meetings and committees related to information technology and security management.

BACKGROUND

ITU is implementing its Digital Transformation Strategy 2026–2031, delivered through three Digital Excellence Programs: Infrastructure Modernization, Systems and Processes Transformation, and the AI and Data Innovation Accelerator. In parallel, ISD has adopted a new operating model (approved September 2026) that reorganizes the department into four teams under the Office of the CIO and introduces a three-tier digital governance structure led by the Digital Governance Board.

This is a period of significant change for the department and for the organization it serves. The scale and pace of transformation — new systems, new ways of working, new roles and new governance — make clear, consistent and two-way communication essential. Staff across ITU need to understand what is changing, why, and what it means for them; ISD colleagues need to feel informed, connected and heard as their own department evolves.

ISD is seeking an intern to support the design and delivery of internal communication and engagement activities during this transition, reporting directly to the CIO within the Office of the CIO.

PURPOSE OF THE INTERNSHIP

The intern will help ISD strengthen how it communicates and shares information at two levels:

1. Across the organization — helping ITU staff, business units and regional offices understand and engage with the digital transformation, the services ISD provides, and the changes that affect them.
2. Within the ISD team — supporting internal cohesion, transparency and engagement during the implementation of the new operating model, so that the team stays informed, aligned and motivated through the change.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the supervision of the CIO, the intern will:

Internal communication planning and delivery

• Support the development of an ISD internal communication and engagement plan aligned with the Digital Transformation Strategy and the ISD Operating Plan 2026.
• Maintain a communication calendar covering key transformation milestones, governance decisions, system go-lives and change activities.
• Draft, edit and format communication content: staff announcements, newsletters or digests, intranet articles, FAQs, briefing notes, presentation slides, and short explainers on transformation initiatives.
• Help translate technical and programme content into clear, accessible messaging for non-technical audiences.

Change and transformation communication

• Support communication for the Digital Excellence Programs and major system initiatives (e.g. change readiness messaging, "what's changing and when" summaries, adoption tips).
• Assist in preparing materials for town halls, all-staff sessions, the Digital Governance Board and stakeholder briefings.
• Help capture and share progress, success stories and lessons learned from the transformation.

Team engagement and information sharing within ISD

• Support ISD team meetings, retreats and engagement activities (agendas, facilitation support, live input tools such as Mentimeter, follow-up notes and action tracking).
• Help set up and maintain shared information spaces (e.g. SharePoint/Teams) so that plans, decisions and updates are easy to find and consistently structured.
• Support onboarding communication for new roles and teams created under the operating model.
• Propose and pilot light-touch practices that improve day-to-day information flow across ISD's teams.

Feedback, measurement and continuous improvement

• Design and run short pulse surveys and feedback loops (within ISD and with ITU staff) and summarize the findings for the CIO and ISD management.
• Track basic communication metrics (reach, readership, participation, feedback) and recommend improvements.
• Contribute to a simple internal communication toolkit or playbook that ISD can continue to use after the internship.

Expected deliverables

• ISD internal communication and engagement plan and calendar for the transformation period.
• A regular ISD/transformation update product (e.g. monthly digest or newsletter) — at least [3] issues produced during the internship.
• A set of reusable communication templates (announcements, FAQs, briefing notes, slide formats) in ITU branding.
• At least [2] engagement activities supported end-to-end (e.g. town hall, team retreat, feedback session), with documented outcomes.
• Pulse survey(s) with analysis and recommendations.
• A short end-of-internship report with findings and recommendations for sustaining internal communication and engagement in ISD.

COMPETENCIES

Skills and experience

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to produce clear, engaging and well-structured content for diverse audiences.
• Ability to simplify technical or complex subject matter.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage a calendar of activities and multiple deliverables.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams); familiarity with tools such as Canva, Mentimeter, Forms or similar survey and design tools is an asset.
• Interest in digital transformation, technology and organizational change.
• Prior experience or coursework in internal communication, change management or employee engagement is an advantage.

Personal qualities

• Curious, proactive and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment.
• Empathetic listener with a collaborative, people-centred approach.
• Discretion and sound judgement in handling sensitive organizational information.
• Able to work across cultures and with colleagues at all levels.

QUALIFICATION REQUIRED

Experience: No work experience is required.

Education: Enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a degree programme in communications, public relations, journalism, organizational psychology, change management, business administration, international relations, or a related field.

Languages: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of French or another ITU official language is an asset.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

Unpaid internship

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.

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.

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.