Digital Infrastructure Internship

Job Posting Organization:
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a part of the United Nations Secretariat, established to bring together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies. The organization advocates for the rights of people in need, promotes preparedness and prevention, and facilitates sustainable solutions. OCHA operates globally, with a focus on ensuring that humanitarian responses are effective and well-coordinated, and it employs a diverse workforce dedicated to humanitarian principles and action.

Job Overview:
The Digital Infrastructure Internship is designed for individuals interested in contributing to the humanitarian sector through innovative technology solutions. The intern will work within the Digital Services Section (DSS) of OCHA, which is responsible for developing and maintaining technology solutions that support the humanitarian community. The internship will focus on exploring architectural models and service delivery frameworks that align with OCHA's goals of enhancing crisis response and streamlining operations. The intern will engage in strategic thinking around digital transformation, contributing to the conceptualization of service models, infrastructure research, and rapid prototyping. This role is pivotal in ensuring that vital information is efficiently collected, processed, and disseminated to support humanitarian efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will have several key responsibilities, including:

• Conceptualization and Modeling: Supporting the development of a conceptual model for digital service delivery at OCHA, linking this work to ongoing initiatives and contributing to internal presentations for leadership.
• Architecture and Technology Research: Conducting research on innovative digital and data architectures, exploring how humanitarian information flows can be redesigned for better coordination and decision-making.
• Rapid Prototyping and Documentation: Drafting internal notes, diagrams, and visual materials to communicate infrastructure concepts and contributing to the development of a roadmap for digital infrastructure evolution.

Required Qualifications:
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). While professional work experience is not required for the UN Internship Programme, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Candidates must provide proof of their qualifications with their application.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a background in fields related to digital services, technology, humanitarian studies, or other relevant areas. A graduate degree or a bachelor's degree nearing completion is preferred, ensuring that the intern has the necessary theoretical knowledge to contribute effectively to the internship.

Experience:
While no professional work experience is required, candidates should demonstrate relevant academic experience or projects that align with the responsibilities of the internship. This could include coursework, research, or volunteer work in related fields.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for the internship, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also beneficial, as it is the other working language of the UN. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing communication within the diverse international environment of the UN.

Additional Notes:
The internship is expected to last for 3 months, with the possibility of extension. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations, and they are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the Netherlands may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.