Intern - Humanitarian Affairs

Work Location

This internship may be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis and can be conducted in person, remotely, or through a hybrid arrangement, depending on the preferences and circumstances of the selected candidate. The internship is offered for a maximum duration of six (6) months, commencing at a mutually agreed date. While the preferred arrangement is a full-time, in-person placement in Istanbul (Türkiye), remote or hybrid modalities may also be considered.

Expected duration

September 2026 - February 2027

Duties and Responsibilities

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the part of the UN Secretariat responsible for bringing 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 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 Strategic Prioritization and Practices Branch (SPPB) helps OCHA and partners deliver more effective joint responses using innovative, state-of-the-art coordination tools and services. The work of the Branch focuses on the key activities which enable effective coordination: needs assessment and analysis, humanitarian response planning and continuous monitoring. SPPB aims to ensure OCHA and partner staff have the skills, tools and technical support needed to meet the needs of people affected by crises through a well- coordinated collective response effort, within the framework of a rigorous Humanitarian Programme Cycle.

The intern will join the Approaches and Practices Section (APS) within SPPB. APS supports humanitarian policy and coordination practice globally and in the field, and works to translate policy into effective coordination approaches and capacities. The intern will report to an assigned supervisor and will regularly collaborate with colleagues within the Section and the Branch.

Responsibilities will depend on the intern’s background and may include:

• Assisting in researching, analyzing, and presenting information gathered from various sources on issues related to humanitarian coordination (e.g., intercluster coordination, etc.).
• Helping draft written materials such as study sections, background papers, presentations, policy notes, infographics and presentations.
• Maintaining reference and resource materials on humanitarian policy and coordination.
• Supporting the organization of meetings, workshops, and other events, including note taking.
• Performing other tasks requested by the supervisor. This internship shall be based in Istanbul (Türkiye), for a maximum period of six (6) months, beginning at a mutually agreed time.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
• Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent), preferably in areas related to political science, social science, humanitarian affairs, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences or in a related field. Do you meet any of the above-mentioned required criteria? If yes, please indicate which one. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate or proof of university enrollment at a later stage, if selected.
• Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
• Excellent writing and communication skills are desirable.
• Skills in information management, are desirable
• Previous experience in and NGO is desirable.
• Experience and confidence using MS Excel is required.
• Data analysis and visualization skills are desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is highly desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.