Internship Opportunity in New York with United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is offering a six-month, full-time Visual Communications Internship in New York.

This opportunity is ideal for emerging graphic designers and multimedia professionals seeking hands-on experience in international development communications, branding, and digital storytelling.

About UNCDF

Established by the UN General Assembly, UNCDF functions as an autonomous UN organization focused on mobilizing capital for sustainable development—especially in Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

As a catalytic blended finance platform within the UN system, UNCDF:

Deploys grants, loans, and guarantees

Crowds in private and public capital

Supports SDG-aligned investments

Strengthens local financial systems

Promotes equitable and sustainable economic growth

UNCDF’s work focuses on three priority areas:

SME Finance

Sub-National Finance

Digital Finance

Headquartered in New York, UNCDF operates regional hubs in Dakar, Nairobi, and Bangkok, with global partnerships spanning public and private sectors.

Internship Overview

Location: New York, United States

Duration: 6 months

Schedule: Full-time

Agency: UNCDF

Grade: Internship (IN)

Application Deadline: March 7, 2026

Required Language: English

Desired Languages: French and/or Arabic

The intern will report to the Communications Analyst (Graphic Design) and support branding, visual storytelling, and digital engagement efforts across UNCDF initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

The Visual Communications Intern will contribute to a wide range of creative and branding activities:

Presentation & Visual Storytelling

Maintain and update executive PowerPoint decks

Translate complex finance and development concepts into compelling visual narratives

Design high-quality visual materials for senior management

Digital & Print Design

Create graphics for web and print (social media posts, flyers, brochures, posters)

Support LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube visual campaigns

Assist in static and animated content production

Branding & Template Management

Refine and update design templates for global accessibility

Ensure brand compliance across regional and country offices

Support standardization of branding guidelines

Multimedia & Infographics

Develop infographics and data visualizations

Support multimedia production and video editing

Maintain a structured multimedia asset library

Event & Campaign Support

Design event materials (banners, signage, promotional content)

Assist in communications case study documentation

Provide administrative and coordination support when required

Required Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong organizational and time management abilities

Ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously

Creative problem-solving and deadline orientation

Capacity to translate abstract concepts into clear visual formats

Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments

Eligibility & Academic Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria at the time of application:

Enrolled in a postgraduate degree (Master’s or higher)

Enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor’s program

Graduated within the past year

Enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program

Required Fields of Study:

Graphic Design

Multimedia or Fine Arts

Communications

Journalism

Data Visualization

Content Production

Related disciplines

Technical Skills (Highly Desirable)

Intermediate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite:

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Canva

PowerPoint

Familiarity with Adobe After Effects or other motion graphics tools

Strong understanding of:

Typography

Color theory

Layout and composition

Visual hierarchy

Internship Conditions

Proof of health insurance is required

A stipend may be provided to cover basic daily expenses

Interns are not UN staff members and may not represent UNCDF officially

UNCDF does not charge application or recruitment fees

Equal Opportunity & Ethics

UNCDF is committed to:

Non-discrimination and inclusivity

Gender equality and diversity

Zero tolerance for harassment and misconduct

Rigorous background and reference checks

As part of the UN system, UNCDF ensures transparent and merit-based recruitment.

Why Apply?

This internship offers:

Practical experience in global development communications

Exposure to blended finance and SDG investment strategies

Hands-on work with branding and digital storytelling at an international organization

Portfolio-building opportunities with high-level executive materials

Collaboration with global UN and financial stakeholders

For aspiring designers interested in sustainable finance, international development, and global branding, this role provides a powerful stepping stone into the UN system and beyond.

Applications should be submitted before the deadline to be considered.

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this internshiop. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

Related