Job Description
External Affairs - London, London, City of (Remote)
Duration: Minimum of 6 months
The Internship Opportunity
ACLED is recruiting a Media and Digital Communications Intern to join our External Affairs team for a minimum period of 6 months. The intern will support its media outreach and external engagement efforts by producing multimedia content tailored for journalistic audiences. Under the direction of the Media Relations Manager, the intern will help transform complex data and analysis into clear, compelling narratives to create multimedia assets for journalists. These will include short-form videos, quote cards, and graphics.
ACLED will be able to provide proof of acceptance of the internship role as well as successful completion of the internship.
This position is open to Bachelor’s or Master’s students in their final year and students seeking a year-long work placement as part of academic studies. Recent graduates seeking practical experience or aiming to start a career in content creation for research and data initiatives may also apply.
Please note that this is a paid internship.
Specific roles and responsibilities
Experience in the following areas is desirable but not essential:
- Writing press releases and media materials based on data-driven research, with guidance from senior staff.
- Drafting “story-in-a-sentence” summaries and simplifying complex ideas without losing essential meaning.
- Researching journalists and maintaining targeted, up-to-date media lists.
- Pitching stories via email and phone, using a confident, professional tone and awareness of journalistic deadlines.
- Supporting the creation of multimedia press content (e.g., explainers, expert clips).
- Assisting in transforming ACLED research and data into clear, engaging visual formats for media audiences.
- Editing webinar, interview, and podcast recordings for press kits and digital platforms.
- Designing quote cards, infographics, and visual assets for media kits and communications.
- Contributing to the development of treatments for audiovisual materials that enhance external storytelling.
- Clipping and cataloguing ACLED broadcast coverage and sharing highlights with internal stakeholders.
- Supporting the maintenance of ACLED’s digital media archive (Google Drive, media kits, press folders).
- Providing administrative assistance to the Media Relations Manager, Head of External Affairs, and communications team.
- Assisting with news monitoring and media coverage tracking to inform outreach strategies.
Skills and competencies
ACLED is looking for a proactive, detail-oriented intern with a strong interest in international news, media engagement, and multimedia content creation. To succeed in this role, candidates should demonstrate:
- Educational background in journalism, media production, communications, or a related field (Bachelor’s or Master’s level; recent graduates and students seeking a year-long work placement as part of academic studies are encouraged to apply).
- Interest in the news cycle and how expert analysis and data are communicated to media audiences.
- Competency in video and/or audio editing (experience with Premiere Pro, Audition, or similar tools is an asset).
- Good editorial judgment and a strong sense of what makes content timely, relevant, and journalist-friendly.
- Excellent attention to detail, especially when editing text, captions, and transcripts.
- Fluency in English (written and spoken); knowledge of additional languages—particularly French, Arabic, Portuguese, or Spanish—is a plus.
- A collaborative attitude, with the ability to follow briefs, meet deadlines, and deliver impactful content in coordination with the Media Relations Manager.
Additional assets include:
- Experience working under tight deadlines or in fast-paced media environments.
- Interest in international affairs, conflict, human rights, or peacebuilding.
- Resilience and adaptability when managing shifting priorities or sensitive subject matter.
- Familiarity with copyright and attribution practices for digital media.
- Experience with project management tools (e.g., Asana), or a willingness to learn.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Enthusiasm for communications, a creative mindset, and openness to exploring new formats and platforms.
- Willingness to contribute ideas, receive feedback, and work collaboratively within a team.
What you’ll gain
- Hands-on experience producing multimedia content for a respected international research organization.
- Insight into how visual storytelling supports media outreach and strategic communications.
- A portfolio of published work to support future career opportunities.
- Mentorship and feedback from experienced professionals in media relations and communications.
- Flexible remote work experience and meaningful engagement with global issues.
Applications: To apply, please submit a CV, a portfolio of multimedia work, and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience. The portfolio may be submitted as a website link or a shared Google Drive folder. Candidates without a portfolio showcasing original work will not be considered.
Don’t worry if you don’t meet every requirement — we’re looking for talented and enthusiastic candidates who want to hone their skills at ACLED. If you’re shortlisted, as a next step we’ll invite you to complete a short multimedia exercise.
Further information is available online at acleddata.com.
Deadline for Applications: This job has no deadline, and application is still acceptable until filled.
“While we try our best to keep our information updated, the closing date of the actual job source may be changed by the recruiter without prior notice. With this, please make sure to check the official job link when submitting your application. Thank you.”
