Geneva, Switzerland (in-person, remote, or hybrid)
Expected Duration
20 October 2025 – 19 April 2026
Duties and Responsibilities
Support OCHA in fulfilling mandated activities and projects in the assigned area
Assist in designing and preparing studies on humanitarian, disaster, and emergency relief issues
Research, analyze, and present information from diverse sources on assigned topics
Draft sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, and other written documents
Maintain reference/resource information on specific topics or policy-related issues
Support organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, and workshops, including serving as note-taker
Stay informed on current humanitarian affairs, including political, policy, gender, and regional developments
Perform other tasks as requested by the supervisor
Specific Tasks under Strategic Prioritization & Practices Branch (SPPB)
Assigned to one of the following units within SPPB:
Humanitarian Programme Cycle Section (HPCS)
Approaches and Practices Section (APS)
Office of the Chief (OC) of SPPB
Qualifications/Special Skills
Enrolled in or completed a graduate program (Master’s or higher) or final year of a first university degree (Bachelor’s)
Preferred fields: Information Science, Information Systems, Social Science, Political Science, International Affairs
Experience with scripting languages (R, Python) is desirable
Strong writing and communication skills, administrative experience is a plus
Languages
Fluency in English (oral and written) required
French knowledge is a plus
Additional Information
Internship is unpaid; interns cover their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses
Non-citizens or non-permanent residents may need appropriate visa and work authorization
Candidates should confirm visa requirements before accepting the internship
Deadline : Oct 1, 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.
