Deadline: 4 January 2011
Start date: February 1, 2011
Application deadline: January 4, 2011
Education requirements: High school
Languages needed: English
Level of language proficiency: Must have excellent English language skills.
Employment type: Part time, Contract
Description
Voices of Youth needs bloggers!
Voices of Youth is UNICEF's site for young people interested in learning about and taking action on issues affecting their lives. VOY is currently undergoing a redesign to update the site's look and functionality. The new site will emphasize interactivity and dialogue, and will feature posts from youth contributors, UNICEF staff, activists, bloggers, etc. Our target population is young people worldwide who are interested in learning more about issues central to UNICEF's mandate (such as child rights, gender-based issues, education, HIV and AIDS, etc.)
We're looking for 2 part-time bloggers to create original content (primarily print, but video, audio, and visual pieces are welcome) for Voices of Youth. Content can include: position pieces on topics relevant to VOY; interviews with thought-leaders; innovative youth-based initiatives to watch; overviews of new trends or breaking news; interesting photos or videos, etc.
Contracts will start in February for 3 months, with the possibility of extension. Previous blogging experience is not necessary, but you should be an excellent writer and familiar with blogging conventions. People of color and people from countries outside the U.S. are strongly encouraged to apply.
You should:
• Be an excellent writer, with solid research skills and the ability to tell a good story;
• Have interest or experience in one or more of the areas currently highlighted on VOY;
• Be able to commit to roughly 2 to 3 days per week;
• Have excellent time-management and organizational skills;
• Have a solid internet connection and a gmail account;
• Be able to put your own unique spin on other articles/blog posts.
Experience blogging with similar themes is highly desirable, as is past experience as an activist, demonstrated use of social media, and knowledge about key themes in development. We'll work with you along the way, and are flexible regarding working hours and check-ins. UNICEF retains the right to full editorial privileges.
How to apply
Please send an email with the subject line "VOY" to unicef.youth.jobs@gmail.com by January 4, 2011, and include the following:
1. A brief description of why you think you are a good fit, including topics you'd be interested in writing about (please check out the current VOY site at www.unicef.org/voy)
2. Between one and three writing samples, one of which should be a blog entry of no more than 600 words.
3. A resume.
Please note: due to the high volume of responses, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. More information is available at http://www.unicef.org.