Intern - Humanitarian Affairs

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, working with various stakeholders to enhance humanitarian responses and has a significant presence in numerous countries.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is located within the Humanitarian Development Collaboration Team in New York, which is part of the Assessment, Planning and Monitoring Branch (APMB) of OCHA. The intern will play a crucial role in supporting the team’s efforts to advance humanitarian-development and peacebuilding collaboration. This role is designed to strengthen development action in fragile settings, aiming to reduce drivers of need, risk, and vulnerability. The intern will engage in various tasks that contribute to the overall mission of OCHA, including assisting with studies on humanitarian response, analyzing information from diverse sources, and preparing written documents. The intern will also support the organization of meetings and maintain awareness of current humanitarian affairs, ensuring that they are well-informed about relevant political, policy, and gender considerations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's daily responsibilities will vary based on their background but may include: assisting in the design and preparation of studies on humanitarian response and emergency relief; researching, analyzing, and presenting information on assigned topics; drafting sections of studies, background papers, and policy guidelines; maintaining reference information on specific topics; organizing meetings, seminars, and workshops; serving as a note-taker during events; and performing other tasks as requested by the supervisor. Additionally, the intern will support the team in four main areas: researching and updating development funding trends; developing country snapshots on HDP collaboration; participating in meetings with development and peacebuilding actors; and assisting with other tasks related to OCHA's work.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent). Preferred fields of study include political science, social science, humanitarian affairs, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences, or related fields. Applicants must provide proof of university enrollment if selected. Professional work experience is not required, but a relevant field of study is necessary. Excellent writing and communication skills are essential, and skills in information management, coordination, administration, and translation are considered assets.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being a student in the final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or being enrolled in or having completed a Master's or Ph.D. program. The fields of study should be closely related to the internship's focus, ensuring that the intern's training and education will benefit the United Nations during their time in the position.

Experience:
While professional work experience is not a prerequisite for this internship, applicants should have a field of study that aligns closely with the internship's focus. This means that any relevant coursework, training, or skills that can contribute to the work of OCHA will be beneficial. The internship is designed for individuals who are in the process of completing their education or have recently graduated, allowing them to gain practical experience in a professional setting.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of an additional official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an advantage and may enhance the intern's ability to contribute to the team's work.

Additional Notes:
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 country where the internship is undertaken may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training.