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INTERN - HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS, I (Temporary Job Opening) Job ID : 92826

New York City | Washington D.C.

  • Organization: UNOCHA - Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
  • Location: New York City | Washington D.C.
  • Grade: Internship - Internship
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
    • Coordination
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

The 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. The intern shall be assigned within the Coordination and Response Division in the Asia-Pacific Section (CRD-AP) under the general guidance of the Head of Section.

The internship is for a minimum duration of two months with an opportunity for extension up to six months. The internship is UNPAID and full-time.The general working hours at United Nations Headquarters New York are from 9:00 to 5:00 pm with one hour for a lunch break.

Administrative requirements: Candidates must be medically insured; able to obtain necessary visas and arrange travel to UNHQ, as well as cover the cost of travel, accommodation and living expenditure for the duration of the internship. For further information, please consult the United Nations Secretariat internship website at: https://careers.un.org.

Responsibilities

General Responsibilities:
The intern will support OCHA, specifically the CRD Asia-Pacific Section, in fulfilling its mission to coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention; and facilitate sustainable solutions. He/she shall support OCHA/CRD Asia-Pacific Section in fulfilling mandated activities and projects in the respective area of assignment. Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to providing assistance with the design and preparation of studies on humanitarian, disaster, emergency relief and other related issues and in various follow-up activities; researching, analysing and presenting information gathered from diverse sources on assigned topics/ issues; assisting with the preparation of various written documents, e.g. drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents etc.; assisting in the maintenance of reference/ resource information on specific topics or policy-related issues; providing support with the organization of meetings, seminars, conferences, workshops, etc., and serving as note-taker to such events; maintains awareness of current humanitarian affairs and related issues, to include relevant political, policy, gender considerations or other developments in specific subject area and/or country or region concerned and; performs other tasks requested by supervisor, as appropriate.

Expected Specific Tasks:

Supports the desk(s) and/or section chief with:

  1. the regular humanitarian updates to reports on countries of concern.
  2. resource mobilization efforts for humanitarian operations in the Asia-Pacific region.
  3. monitoring of early warning, media reports and analysis emerging or impacting the Asia-Pacific region and sharing it with the section.
  4. developing a pamphlet outlining OCHA's role in the Asia-Pacific region.
  5. Analysis of key countries of concern to benefit from the CERF under-funded window.
    Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to gender equality within OCHA Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related humanitarian rights issues. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources and conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, work under pressure. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Applicants must be enrolled in a Bachelor's (final year), Post graduate, Master's or Ph.D.programme or equivalent, preferably in political science, social science, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences, graphic design, art, communications, public relations or marketing, statistics, human resources or a related field. Applicants that have successfully completed an academic programme in a discipline mentioned above must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.

Work Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme; however any practical and academic experience on humanitarian issues including humanitarian financing mechanisms, humanitarian funding trends, gender equality programming is desirable. Research interest and published work on these or/and any related areas is desirable. Interest and skills in film, photo and multimedia tools is desirable. Ability to handle multiple design projects simultaneously. Applicants should have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN Official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Hiring Managers will conduct reviews of PHPs and contact applicants directly for further consideration. Due to the high volume of applications received, ONLY successful candidates will be contacted. Applicants are encouraged to apply for internships which relate directly to their studies and/or skills-set, and they will be assessed based on information indicated in their Personal History Profiles (PHPs). A completed on-line application is required

Special Notice

A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The Cover Note must include:
Degree Programme (What are you currently studying?);
Graduation Date (When did you or will you be graduating from the programme?);
Earliest availability to take on the internship
List the IT skills and programmes that you are proficient in.
Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship;
Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme; and
Explain how you have demonstrated an ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all education, languages, past work experiences, and IT skills. Do not forget to designate three references that we may contact who can attest to your qualifications. You could include present or past supervisors, peers, mentors or thesis advisors, but please do not list any family members. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

The internship within the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in line with the United Nations (UN) Internship Programme, aims to provide a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the United Nations through assignment to offices within the Secretariat in order to enhance their educational experience and gain experience in the work of the United Nations. Additionally, it provides the United Nations offices with the assistance of qualified students specialized in various professional fields.

Interns shall not represent the United Nations in any official capacity.

The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during an internship.

A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations. United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.

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