Work Location

New York

Expected duration

3-6 months (desired start date on 3 September 2024).

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations 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. The Intergovernmental Policy Section (IGPS) of OCHA works to ensure intergovernmental support for strengthening the normative framework for humanitarian action through inclusive dialogue and partnerships with and policy support to Member States on humanitarian priority issues in the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Security Council of the United Nations. This includes, inter alia, preparing the annual reports of the United Nations Secretary-General on humanitarian assistance; policy advice and Secretariat support to Member States in the negotiations on annual humanitarian resolutions; organizing the annual ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment in support of the Chairmanship of the ECOSOC Vice-President; monitoring and promoting humanitarian priorities in relevant intergovernmental processes; supporting informal Member State forums. The work of IGPS is central to providing the policy guidance and mandates on coordinating humanitarian assistance to OCHA and the wider humanitarian system. United Nations intergovernmental processes provide a key opportunity for IGPS and OCHA to advocate for a strong humanitarian coordination system and build awareness, understanding and support for the international humanitarian system and for strengthening humanitarian action in support of field operations. The work of IGPS involves daily liaison with stakeholders such as Member States, United Nations agencies, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and humanitarian non-governmental organizations. The intern, under the general guidance of the Section Chief and Humanitarian Affairs Officers, perform a variety of tasks, depending on the internship period, including but not limited to: – Engages in UN intergovernmental process and with Member States on humanitarian affairs; – Contributes to technical policy advice and Secretariat support provided by IGPS to Member States in the negotiations on humanitarian resolutions in the General Assembly, ECOSOC and the Security Council, including with research, note-taking and other support; – Supports planning and organization of meetings and events, in particular the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, its high-level panel discussions and side events organized on the margins of the Segment; – Attends and reports back on intergovernmental meetings, events and informal consultations; – Assists in drafting and preparing background documents, reports, issue briefs, talking points, presentations etc. on humanitarian issues; – Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues related to humanitarian and other relevant policy issues; – Maintains awareness of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, to include relevant political, policy, gender considerations or other developments in specific subject area, country or region concerned; – Responds to a variety of inquiries and information requests internally and externally and prepares related correspondence; – Performs other 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). 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 that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, 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. Strong writing and communication skills are desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.