Intern - Humanitarian Affairs

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a vital part of the United Nations Secretariat. Established to ensure a coherent response to humanitarian emergencies, OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors. The organization aims to alleviate human suffering during disasters and emergencies, advocate for the rights of people in need, promote preparedness and prevention, and facilitate sustainable solutions. OCHA operates in various regions, including the Middle East and North Africa, where it has a regional office in Cairo, Egypt, focusing on enhancing partnerships for humanitarian purposes and leading emergency response preparedness work.

Job Overview:
The intern position is located in the Cairo hub of OCHA's Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA). The role is designed to support the coordination workstream within OCHA ROMENA, working under the oversight of the Deputy Head of Office. The intern will be expected to contribute to the team's efforts in achieving its objectives, which include collecting information for country risk profiles, compiling disaster early warning notifications, assisting in the development of reports related to the Central Emergency Response Fund, and supporting various administrative tasks. The team values diversity, empathy, and collaboration, encouraging open communication and knowledge sharing among its members. The internship is a full-time assignment, requiring the intern to adhere to normal office working hours and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Collecting information materials for preparing and updating country risk profiles in the region.
• Following up and compiling disaster early warning notifications and alerts across the region.
• Assisting in the development of interim and final reports for the Central Emergency Response Fund allocation to Libya and Egypt.
• Supporting the archiving and maintenance of reference/resource information records on specific topics or policy-related issues, such as gender, accountability to affected populations, climate, and protection mainstreaming.
• Searching, analyzing, and presenting information products on assigned topics/issues.
• Assisting in drafting documents, including situation reports, flash updates, background papers, briefing books, and meeting minutes.
• Organizing and documenting office meetings, seminars, conferences, and training workshops, serving as a note-taker when needed.
• Completing all assigned mandatory and recommended courses throughout the internship program.
• Performing administrative tasks related to office work as requested by the direct supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application: I. Be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) in political and/or social science, international relations, public administration, law, economics, or other related fields. II. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). III. Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one year of graduation. Additionally, applicants should possess competencies in client orientation, communication, teamwork, and planning & organizing.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes enrollment in a graduate program or final year of a bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as political science, social science, international relations, public administration, law, or economics. Graduates who have completed their studies within the last year are also eligible to apply, provided they can start the internship promptly after graduation.

Experience:
While professional working experience is not mandatory for participation in the internship program, academic and/or practical experience in humanitarian issues and the work of the United Nations is considered desirable. The intern should demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and possess skills in drafting reports and technical documents.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic (both oral and written) is required for this internship. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Additional Notes:
The internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Egypt may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. The internship duration is a minimum of three months, with the possibility of extension up to six months, subject to mutual agreement. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.