Intern - Humanitarian Affairs

Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts.

OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention; and facilitate sustainable solutions.

This position is located in the Front Office of the Head and Representative of OCHA Geneva, and Director of the Humanitarian Sector Division. The Intern (in-person, remote or hybrid) will report to the Special Advisor.

The internship is being offered for a minimum period of three (3) months, with a possibility of extension up to a maximum period of six (6) months, beginning at a mutually agreed time.

The intern will support OCHA in fulfilling its mission to coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention; and facilitate sustainable solutions. In general, the intern shall support OCHA in fulfilling mandated activities and projects in the respective area of assignment.

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background and duties may include but are not limited to:

• Providing assistance with the design and preparation of studies on humanitarian, disaster, emergency relief and other related issues and in various follow-up activities.
• Researching, analyzing, and presenting information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues.
• Assisting with the preparation of various written documents (e.g., drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, etc.).
• Assisting in the maintenance of reference/resource information on specific topics or policy-related issues.
• Providing support with the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc., and serving as note-taker at such events.
• Maintaining awareness of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, including relevant political, policy, gender considerations or other developments in specific subject areas and/or countries or regions concerned.
• Performing other tasks requested by supervisor, as appropriate.

In addition to the general responsibilities outlined above, the intern shall be given specific tasks related to the branch/division of assignment, namely:

Under the overall guidance of the Senior Advisor to the Head and Representative of OCHA Geneva and Director of the Humanitarian Sector Division, the intern will support activities relating to the management and smooth flow of the OCHA Geneva Front Office. The main duties and responsibilities include:

• Support the day-to-day responsibilities related to the implementation of the Geneva-based Member State engagement strategy.
• Undertake research and analysis on country or regionally specific political developments to help inform and guide OCHA engagements.
• Support building, maintaining, and strengthening broad partnerships with Member States, other UN agencies, and nongovernmental organizations in support of OCHA Geneva’s partnership and external relations functions.
• Help maintain OCHA’s corporate calendar to reflect Member States and external engagements by the Head of OCHA Geneva and other Geneva senior leadership.
• Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents, and communications (e.g., background papers, talking points, policy guidelines, briefings, presentations, correspondence, etc.).
• Organize and participate in working groups, meetings, and conferences with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
• Perform other Front Office duties as required.

Qualifications/Special Skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
(a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
(b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent).

The university degree must be in the area of political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field.

Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship being applied for is required. Your training, education, advanced coursework, or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Applicants must be a student in the final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. programme, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. programme.

Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.

Deadline : Oct 19, 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.