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Commonwealth News Intern

Location: London, UK
Duration: 6 months
Closing Date: 3 Nov 2011

The Communications and Public Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat is seeking a young journalist from one of the following Caribbean countries to undertake an attachment with the Secretariat in London from 3 January to 30 June 2012.

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

· Antigua and Barbuda

· The Bahamas

· Barbados

· Dominica

· Grenada

· Jamaica

· St Kitts and Nevis

· St Lucia

· St Vincent and the Grenadines

· Trinidad and Tobago

The attachment provides an opportunity to gain work experience and training in the productionand dissemination of written articles for our publications, including Commonwealth News - our e-mail news bulletin, our website, and general publicity materials. The duration of the attachment will be approximately six months. This internship is rotated among the regions of the Commonwealth.

Requirements:

1. The candidate should:

· be less than 35 years old;

· 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;

· be computer literate, including experience using Microsoft Word and database and e-mailing software;

· 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 to cover expenses. This includes a fixed monthly allowance to cover accommodation and a fixed daily allowance for living expenses. The total allowance amounts to approximately £1,800 per month (before UK taxes and deductions). A return air ticket (economy class) will be provided, as will additional reimbursements for some transportation and short-term accommodation expenses and visa costs.

If the successful candidate is in full-time employment, his or 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 Thursday, 3 November 2011 (1700GMT).

Those selected for an interview will be asked to write an assessment and provide samples of their published writing and a letter of recommendation from their editor* supporting their internship application and allowing leave of absence from the newsroom for the duration of the internship. Interviews will be conducted by phone.

*this does not apply to candidates who are not in employment.

Download the Job Description