Unpaid Internship - Giga UX/UI Support Officer-Intern

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT The General Secretariat directs administrative, human and financial resources and activities of the Union, including the implementation of the provisions of the administrative regulations on operational questions, the dissemination of information on telecommunication/ICT matters for operational and other purposes, and the provision of legal advice to the whole of the Union. The General Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the Strategic Plan, monitors the telecommunication/ICT environment and recommends as needed action relating to the Union’s future policies and strategy. The General Secretariat ensures inter-sectoral coordination and cooperation to advance a whole of ITU approach (One-ITU) in headquarters and the field. The General Secretariat provides logistical and information technology support to the Union’s activities including conferences and global forums; the coordination of the work of the Union with the United Nations system, and other international organizations; and the engagement of the Member States, Sector Members, and Academia. The General Secretariat manages corporate governance, and strategic communications and relations with the media, different stakeholder groups as well as the general public.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Within the context of the Giga initiative, ITU is looking for a motivated intern to support the design and development of user-friendly, accessible and responsive digital interfaces for Giga platforms and applications. Under the supervision of the Giga Programme Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Giga Barcelona Technology team, the intern will:

• UX and interface design: design user-centred digital interfaces and workflows, ensuring that user needs and business objectives are translated into intuitive digital experiences for Giga-ITU products (e.g. GGDP, GigaKIX, Connect&Play, Giga Roam onboarding).

• Wireframes and prototypes: create wireframes, mockups and interactive prototypes to communicate design concepts and validate solutions throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Usability and accessibility: enhance usability, visual consistency and accessibility across digital products, including for users with limited technical skills, low bandwidth or mobile-only access, helping to deliver coherent and inclusive user experiences.

• User journeys and interaction design: participate in user journey mapping and interaction design activities to better understand user behaviours (ministry officials, regulators, ISPs, school staff) and optimise end-to-end interactions.

• Design system: support the maintenance and continuous evolution of the Giga design system and UI component libraries, promoting scalability and consistency across products.

• Frontend implementation: implement responsive user interfaces using modern web technologies, translating approved design prototypes into fully functional interfaces.

• Reusable components and standards: develop reusable frontend components and support compliance with established accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA / 2.2 AA) and best practices.

• Collaboration: work closely with developers, designers and product stakeholders; take an active part in brainstorming sessions, design reviews, agile processes and testing activities, and in the continuous improvement and documentation of digital products.

COMPETENCIES

• User-centred mindset.
• Creativity and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to balance design quality with technical implementation.
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn in an international environment.

QUALIFICATION REQUIRED

Education: Currently enrolled in a university programme (bachelor’s or master’s degree) in interaction design, HCI, computer science, software or web engineering, graphic or product design, or a related field. Experience: No professional work experience is required.

A portfolio of academic, personal or freelance projects showing both user-centred design work and frontend implementation is required. Previous internships, or projects involving dashboards, data visualisation or maps, are an asset. Interest in designing for low-bandwidth or low-literacy contexts; interest in open source or Digital Public Goods; coursework or projects involving GIS or map interfaces would be desirable. Languages:Advanced level of English. Knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic or Portuguese is an asset.

REMUNERATION INFORMATION

Unpaid internship

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To be eligible for an internship at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), candidates must:

• Be under 30 years of age (Exceptions may be considered for candidates pursuing a Ph.D.).

• Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate programme, or be a recent graduate(within six months prior to the start of the internship).

• Be a citizen of a Member State of ITU.

Please note that a non-remunerated Internship position at ITU does not carry the same conditionsof employment as a Short-term or a Fixed-term position. Mandatory Medical Insurance, travel expenses, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or sponsoring institutions.