Commonwealth News Internship

Location: London, UK
Duration: February to July 2013 (approximately 6 months)
Closing Date: 31 Dec 2012

The Communications and Public Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat is seeking a young journalist from one of the following countries in Africa to undertake an approximate six month paid attachment with the Secretariat in London from February to July 2013.

The candidate must be a citizen of one of the following countries:

• Botswana • Cameroon • The Gambia • Ghana • Kenya • Lesotho
• Malawi • Mauritius • Mozambique • Namibia • Nigeria • Rwanda
• Seychelles • Sierra Leone • South Africa • Swaziland • Uganda
• United Republic of Tanzania • Zambia

The attachment provides an opportunity to gain work experience and training in the production and dissemination of news articles for our websites and publications, social media platforms, general publicity materials and our e-mail news bulletin, Commonwealth News.
Requirements:

1. The candidate should:

· be under 35 years of age (at 31 December 2012);

· fluent in English

· be a journalist with between three and five years experience working with an English-language newspaper, news agency or national information agency. Recent graduates in journalism or a related discipline, who have less than three years experience but show promise and ability as a news or features writer, will also be considered;

· have experience of using social media platforms professionally, including Facebook and Twitter;

· be computer literate, including experience using Microsoft Office suite;

· preferably have some experience in photography;

· preferably have a knowledge of the Commonwealth and of development issues; and

· preferably have lived in or visited a developing Commonwealth country.
The Attachment:

The successful candidate will be working at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London and will be paid an allowance of approximately £1,800 per month (before taxes and deductions). A return air ticket (economy class) will be provided, as will additional reimbursements for short-term accommodation expenses on arrival to the UK and visa costs.

If the successful candidate is in full-time employment, his/her employer will be requested to provide a guarantee that the candidate will be able to return to his/her job after the attachment is completed. While working at the Secretariat, the intern will have the opportunity to report on Commonwealth events for their news organisation, after having fulfilled his/her daily duties as required by the internship.
How to apply:

A résumé, covering letter (including full address, country of citizenship and contact details), and a copy of your passport page featuring your photo should be sent via e-mail to the Online Editor at p.cooke@commonwealth.int no later than Monday, 31 December 2012 (1700GMT).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a written assessment and provide samples of their published writing. The final stage will be a phone interview.