Work Location

Geneva

Expected duration

minimum 3 months

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 Coordination Division and the Intern will report to the Special Advisor. The internship is being offered for a minimum period of two (2) 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, work-shops, etc., and serving as note-taker to such events; maintains awareness of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, to include relevant political, policy, gender considerations or other developments in specific subject area and/or country or region concerned and; performs 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 Coordination Division, the intern will support activities relating 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, 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 in 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 that you are applying for is required. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. 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. 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.

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.