Editorial and AI Communications Intern
Organizational Context
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva is offering an internship within the Office of the Secretary-General. This is an unpaid, full-time, three-month internship commencing December 1, 2026. The role provides students and recent graduates with practical experience in international trade and development communications.
Job Purpose
This internship aims to provide a valuable learning experience for students and recent graduates by exposing them to the work of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The intern will contribute to the Office of the Secretary-General by drafting, editing, and adapting various editorial products related to trade and development. A key focus will be on preparing content that is understandable to human readers and discoverable by search and AI systems, while also researching and testing emerging AI technologies for editorial applications. This role supports UNCTAD's mission by enhancing the clarity, accuracy, and accessibility of its communications, ensuring institutional neutrality and its distinct editorial voice are maintained.
Responsibilities
The intern will be responsible for drafting, editing, and adapting editorial content, including web stories, explainers, social media copy, and newsletters, focusing on trade and development topics. This involves improving content clarity, structure, and headlines while ensuring accuracy, institutional neutrality, and adherence to UNCTAD's editorial voice. A significant duty is preparing content optimized for both human understanding and AI systems, focusing on precise headings, contextual explanations, credible sources, and structured metadata. The intern will also research emerging practices in generative AI and AI-assisted discovery, translating findings into editorial recommendations. Additionally, they will test approved AI tools and prompts for editorial work, documenting effective workflows, limitations, and safeguards, all under human review.
Work Experience
Professional work experience is not a mandatory requirement for this internship. However, candidates are encouraged to describe any relevant experience in editorial AI and communication, as well as any experience with multimedia. Previous work experience, if any, should be detailed in the Personal History Profile.
Skills
• Strong editorial judgment and attention to detail. • Ability to verify facts, sources, and AI-generated output. • Knowledge of generative AI in communications or editorial work. • Understanding of search engine optimization and AI answer systems. • Proficiency in IT skills and relevant software. • Ability to work constructively in a multicultural environment. • Fluency in English (oral and written). • Knowledge of French and/or Spanish (desirable).