The United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) offered an internship opportunity for candidates interested in graphic design, videography, digital communications and social media. The Intern – Graphic Design, Videography and Social Media position was based in New York and was classified as an Affiliate Personnel – Internship, I-1 opportunity.
The internship was posted on 12 August 2026, with an application deadline of 25 August 2026. The vacancy is now closed, but the opportunity provides a useful reference for candidates interested in similar United Nations communications and public information internships.
About the Internship
The internship was designed as an in-person, full-time position requiring approximately 35 hours per week, although the working arrangement could be adjusted based on the successful candidate’s circumstances. The expected internship duration was between three and six months.
The intern would have worked under the supervision of the Communications Team within OSAA. The office was established in 2003 and focuses specifically on Africa’s priorities and international support for Africa’s development.
OSAA performs advisory, advocacy, coordination and monitoring functions and collaborates with different parts of the United Nations system to promote greater coherence in work related to peace, security and development across Africa.
Key Responsibilities
The selected intern would have supported several communications and multimedia activities. Responsibilities could include assisting with the design and layout of OSAA knowledge products, including factsheets, policy briefs and research papers.
The intern could also have contributed to the development of digital communication materials such as:
- Flyers and promotional graphics
- Social media visuals
- Digital communication assets
- Publication layouts
- Multimedia content
- Website materials
- Simple data visualisations
- Presentation graphics
Another important component of the role involved video production and editing. The intern would have supported the creation and editing of multimedia content intended for OSAA’s social media platforms.
The role also included supporting social media and web content development, improving the presentation of existing materials and providing technical assistance to enhance the visual quality of OSAA publications and communications.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants were required to satisfy at least one of the United Nations Internship Programme’s academic requirements. Candidates needed to be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate programme leading to a second university degree or equivalent qualification, or higher.
Alternatively, candidates could be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme equivalent to at least a bachelor’s degree.
Applicants could also be students in the final year of a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD programme, or equivalent, or individuals who had already completed one of these qualifications.
Professional work experience was not required for the internship. However, applicants needed to have a field of study closely related to the internship.
Candidates were also expected to have knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, making the opportunity particularly relevant to students and recent graduates in graphic design, communications, digital media, multimedia production, public relations and related disciplines.
Language Requirements
Fluency in spoken and written English was required. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
Knowledge of an additional official UN language was considered an advantage. The official languages of the United Nations Secretariat are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Financial and Visa Information
The United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. Successful candidates are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses, unless these costs are covered by a sponsoring institution.
Candidates who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship takes place may need to obtain an appropriate visa and work or employment authorization. Prospective interns are advised to establish their visa requirements before accepting an internship offer.
Applicants were also required to indicate their period of availability during the following three to six months in their cover letter.
Important Recruitment Notice
The United Nations does not charge applicants any fee at any stage of its recruitment process. Candidates should never pay fees for applications, interviews, recruitment processing or training.
The UN also does not request applicants’ bank account information as part of the recruitment process. Candidates should remain alert to fraudulent recruitment messages claiming to represent the United Nations.
Career Opportunity for Young Professionals
Although this particular vacancy has closed, similar UN internships may provide valuable exposure to international communications, public information, digital media and development-focused work.
Candidates interested in future opportunities should monitor the official United Nations Careers platform regularly and ensure that their academic documents, portfolio, CV and relevant digital skills are ready before suitable vacancies are advertised.
