The modality can be in person, remote, or hybrid (partly in person and partly remote).
The internship can be done on a full-time or part-time basis.
Expected Duration
September 2025 – March 2026, for a maximum period of six (6) months, beginning at a mutually agreed time.
Duties and Responsibilities The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is responsible for coordinating humanitarian response to emergencies. OCHA’s mission includes mobilizing and coordinating principled humanitarian action, advocating for people in need, promoting preparedness and prevention, and supporting sustainable solutions.
The Assessment, Planning and Monitoring Branch (APMB) supports effective coordination through:
Needs assessment and analysis
Humanitarian response planning
Continuous monitoring
Providing tools, skills, and support for coordinated responses within the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC)
The Needs and Response Analysis Section (NARAS) within APMB:
Develops normative guidance and policy on analysis, risk, and readiness
Offers technical field support and capacity-building
Daily responsibilities may include:
Assisting in the design and preparation of studies on humanitarian response and emergency relief
Researching, analyzing, and presenting information from diverse sources on assigned topics
Drafting sections of reports, background papers, policy guidelines, or other documents
Maintaining reference/resource materials on specific policy topics
Supporting the organization of meetings, seminars, and workshops and taking notes during such events
Staying informed on current humanitarian affairs, including political, policy, and gender considerations
Performing other relevant tasks as requested
Additional responsibilities under the Needs and Response Analysis Section (NARAS), Needs Analysis Unit, include:
Support the implementation of JIAF 2
The Joint Intersectoral Analysis Framework (JIAF) is used to estimate and analyze humanitarian needs and risks within the HPC.
Tasks may include supporting the technical development and field implementation of JIAF, including evidence generation for Humanitarian Needs and Response Plans (HNRPs).
Support the development and implementation of Rapid Needs Assessments (RNA)
RNAs assess the impact of emergencies shortly after they occur.
The intern will support revision of RNA tools, development of a toolbox and guidance, and may:
Research and collect RNA practices
Draft tools and procedures
Design presentations and communications materials
Qualifications / Special Skills
Enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent or higher), or
Enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level), preferably in:
Political science
Social science
Humanitarian affairs
International studies
Public administration
Economics
Engineering
Earth sciences
Or other related fields
No professional work experience is required, but field of study must be relevant to the internship
Familiarity with relational databases and data management
Experience in research, data collection, and analysis
Excellent writing and communication skills
Skills in information management, coordination, administration, or translation are assets
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat
Fluency in English (oral and written) is required
Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable
Intern-Specific Text
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations
Costs for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsor
Interns not residing in the host country must obtain appropriate visa/work authorization
Successful candidates should confirm visa requirements prior to accepting the offer
Deadline: July 30, 2025
About the Organization
In December 1991, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 46/182, designed to strengthen the United Nation's response to both complex emergencies and natural disasters. In addition it aimed at improving the overall effectiveness of the UN's humanitarian operations in the field.
The resolution also created the high level position of Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC). This new function would combine into a single UN focal point the functions carried out by representatives of the Secretary-General for major and complex emergencies, as well as the UN's natural disaster functions carried out by the UN Disaster Relief Coordinator, UNDRO.
Soon after, the Secretary-General established the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA) and assigned the ERC the status of Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Humanitarian Affairs with offices in New York and Geneva to provide institutional support.
Resolution 46/182 also created the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) and the Central Emergency Revolving Fund (CERF) as key coordination mechanisms and tools of the ERC.
As part of the Secretary-General's programme of reform in 1998, DHA was reorganized into the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA. Its mandate was expanded to include the coordination of humanitarian response, policy development and humanitarian advocacy.
OCHA carries out its coordination function primarily through the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which is chaired by the ERC. Participants include all humanitarian partners, from UN agencies, funds and programmes to the Red Cross Movement and NGOs. The IASC ensures inter-agency decision-making in response to complex emergencies. These responses include needs assessments, consolidated appeals, field coordination arrangements and the development of humanitarian policies.
Start your application
Applications for this position must be completed on the recruiting organization's website.
