Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the UN Secretariat department responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to complex emergencies and natural disasters. OCHA also ensures that there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort. 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 Information Management (IM) function, is responsible for both defining and implementing OCHA’s information and technology strategy while introducing more effective ways of developing and delivering digital information and technology services that serve OCHA staff and the larger humanitarian sector. The teams within IM are responsible for a range of matters including humanitarian data (HDX), response-based websites (ReliefWeb & HumanitarianResponse.info) and applications (Digital Situation Report & Humanitarian.ID), technical infrastructure (email, document management, connectivity, etc), and both support to and capacity development of field-based information management officers. Specifically, the Digital Services team was established to focus on high priority projects that bring together a variety of IM’s existing sections/projects as well as other OCHA platforms.

The internship can be completed in the duty station, remotely or hybrid. The internship reports to the Programme Management Officer within the Digital Services Section, Information Management Branch who is located in The Hague, Netherlands.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual’s background, duties may include but are not limited to lending support to projects and/or activities within the branch/Division of assignment. The intern does not need to have a technology background, but rather a strong research background combined with a general interest in technology. In particular, the intern will:

• Undertake research at the interaction of (new or emerging) technology and humanitarian affairs. The topics could include, but are not limited to, such things as as artificial intelligence, technological security in insecure environments, generative AI, blockchain, and quantum computing. The aim would be to identify how such a technology already or potentially could affect humanitarian response.
• Draft reports and/or guidelines to help articulate research findings and guide other humanitarians to better understand and possibly adopt the new technology, process or approach.
• Conduct and draft research aimed at improving the integration of digital humanitarians and remote information management into humanitarian response.

Competencies

Communication:

-Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
-Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
-Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
-Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
-Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Teamwork:

-Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
-Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others
-Places team agenda before personal agenda
-Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
-Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

Technological Awareness:

-Keeps abreast of available technology
-Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office
-Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks
-Shows willingness to learn new technology

Education

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, 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); or,
(b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).

Interested candidates must be pursuing or pursued their degree in areas related to this Job Opening: Business Administration (General, Management, or Computer Science), International Relations, Policy Development, Management (General, Information Systems), Information Technology (Information Management, Information Systems, or Information Architecture, Information Systems) or a related field.

In addition, interested candidates must:
• Be computer literate in standard software applications including MS Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point);
• Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and,
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Work Experience

No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

To apply to this job opening please go to: https://inspira.un.org or https://careers.un.org. A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Cover Note must include:

– Degree Programme (What are you currently studying?)
– Graduation Date (When will you graduate or when did you graduate from the programme?)
– List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
– List your top three areas of interest.
– Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship.
– Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme.
– Please also indicate the time when you are available for an internship, including your earliest possible start date. The OCHA Internship is for a minimum duration of two months with an opportunity for extension up to six months.

In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills. Do not forget to designate three references that we may contact who can attest to your qualifications. You could include present or past supervisors, peers, mentors or thesis advisors, but please do not list any family members. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Applicants may be evaluated through a written examination and/or a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The internship within the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in line with the United Nations (UN) Internship Programme, aims to provide a framework by which students and recent graduates from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the United Nations through assignment to offices within the Secretariat in order to enhance their educational experience and gain experience in the work of the United Nations. Additionally, it provides the United Nations offices with the assistance of qualified interns specialized in various professional fields.

Interns shall not represent the United Nations in any official capacity. For additional information on the Programme, please visit: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=ip

A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this advertisement, “child” means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member’s spouse (son- or daughter-in-law). “Sibling” includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child.

The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns work five days per week (40 hours). The general working hours at United Nations Hague are 40 hours per week, from 9:00 to 5:00 pm with one hour for a lunch break. The intern should adhere to the established official weekly working hours of respective duty station if the internship is based in a field-office location. All costs associated to the internship are to be borne by the intern, specifically: travel, visas, accommodation/ living expenses and medical insurance for the entire duration of the internship. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during an internship. A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations.

Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible. The duration of the internship is for an initial period of three months with possibility of extension. Please note that due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by national authorities, selected candidate may be requested to start the assignment remotely, in agreement with the hiring manager, and until further notice.

Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, Inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on “The Application Process” and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.