INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME FOR COMMONWEALTH JOURNALISTS FROM AFRICA

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME FOR COMMONWEALTH JOURNALISTS FROM AFRICA
Application:
The Communications and Public Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat is seeking a young journalist from the following countries in Africa to undertake an attachment with the Secretariat in London from January to June 2007.
Botswana
Cameroon
The Gambia
Ghana
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
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 written articles for our publications, including the Commonwealth News and Information Service (CNIS) - our weekly e-mail news bulletin, our website and general publicity materials. The duration of the attachment will be approximately five months. This internship is rotated among various regions in the Commonwealth.
Requirements:
a. The candidate should be 29 years old or younger.
b. Have at least two years' experience as a journalist or reporter with an English-language newspaper, news agency or national information agency. However, a recent graduate in journalism or a related discipline, who has less than two years' experience but shows promise and ability as a news or features writer, would also be considered.
c. Computer literacy, including the use of Microsoft Word and some experience of database and e-mailing software, is essential.
d. Knowledge of the Commonwealth and of development issues is an advantage, as would the experience of having 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.
Applications / Deadline (1 November 2006)
Candidates are requested to apply via e-mail, attaching their curriculum vitae and ensuring that full address and contact details are included. Those selected for an interview will be asked to provide samples of their published writing, as well as a short personal statement (of about one page) stating why they would like to be considered for the internship and a letter of recommendation from their editor supporting their internship application and allowing leave of absence from the newsroom for duration of the internship programme. Interviews will be conducted by phone.
CVs should be sent to the CNIS Editor at g.goh@commonwealth.int by 1 November 2006.