The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is part of the UN Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA is seeking an intern to work in the Operations and Advocacy Division/Policy Advice and Planning Section in New York. Interns are respected to work full-time for a period of 2-6 months depending on the office’s and the candidate’s availability. This opportunity is unpaid.
The deadline to apply for this opportunity is July 2, 2021.
Responsibilities
In consultation with the Section Chief, the intern’s daily responsibilities will consist of supporting the general work of the Policy Advice and Planning Section:
- Assists in the design and preparation of studies on humanitarian, disaster, emergency relief, international law, humanitarian access, the protection of civilians and related issues, and in various follow-up activities.
- Assists in drafting and preparing official documents pertaining to humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, international humanitarian and human rights law, and related issues.
- Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/issues.
- Contributes to the preparation of various written documents, e.g. draft sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, and other documents.
- Develops and maintains reference/resource information on specific topics or policy-related issues; response to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally.
- Assists in the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, and workshops with other agencies and partners to facilitate exchanges of professional expertise and views on specific humanitarian-related subjects/issues; serves as a reporter to such events.
- Maintains awareness of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, to include relevant political, policy, gender considerations, or other developments with a specific focus on the protection of civilians, humanitarian access and negotiations, and international law.
- Supports the monitoring, analysis, and reporting on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management, or emergency situations.
- Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications
- Must be one of the following:
- Enrolled in the final academic year of a bachelor’s degree program
- Enrolled in a graduate school program
- Have graduated with one of the above university degrees
- Computer literate in standard software applications
- Fluent in English, Proficiency in French, preferred. Knowledge of Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and/or Spanish desirable.
For more information and to apply, click here.
