About Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairsis part of the United Nations system, working to promote international cooperation and address global challenges. As a UN entity, it contributes to the organization’s mission of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting international cooperation in solving international problems and encouraging respect for human rights.

Job Summary

This internship offers a unique opportunity for a motivated individual to gain hands-on experience in international development and international cooperation and sustainable development. Working with Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, you will contribute to meaningful projects that address global challenges and promote sustainable development. You will develop valuable professional skills while working in a multicultural, international environment alongside experienced professionals.

Key Details

• Job Title:Humanitarian Affairs Intern
• Grade:I-1
• Location:New York, United States (Flexible: in-person, hybrid, or remote)
• Department:Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
• Contract Type:Internship
• Salary:Unpaid

Qualifications

• Academic 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 bachelors degree or equivalent).
• Academic Qualifications: Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience.
• Academic Qualifications: However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.
• Academic Qualifications: Applicants must be a student in Masters or Ph.D.
• Academic Qualifications: Programme or equivalent or in the final year of the first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent), or have completed a Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D.
• Academic Qualifications: Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application.
• Academic Qualifications: Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.
• Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship.
• Language: Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.

Skills

• 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 principles 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 Norms and Principles Section (NPS) of OCHA works to support the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs / Emergency Relief Coordinator (USG/ERC), OCHA leadership and operations, Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and the wider humanitarian system in defending, reinforcing and advancing humanitarian principles and norms, in a strategic, coherent, systematic and coordinated way.
• NPS supports the United Nations General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Security Council and Member States to strengthen the normative framework and mandates for humanitarian assistance, including through inclusive dialogue and partnerships with and policy support to Member States in these intergovernmental legislative and governance bodies and related humanitarian processes.
• NPS also provides policy development and support on principled humanitarian assistance and on the protection of civilians, access, protection of humanitarian personnel and other thematic priorities.
• This provides a key opportunity for NPS and OCHA to advocate for strong humanitarian coordination and international humanitarian system and to build awareness, understanding and support for the normative framework for principled humanitarian assistance in support of field operations.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Professional development opportunities
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
• Inclusive and collaborative work environment

How to Apply