🇨🇭 UN Internship in Geneva 🚨 Humanitarian Affairs Intern 🌍 OCHA 🇨🇭
Are you a student or recent graduate in political science, social science, humanitarian affairs, international studies, public administration, economics, or a related field — and ready to contribute to global humanitarian coordination at one of the most important UN offices in the world? The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is looking for a Humanitarian Affairs Intern to join its Approaches and Practices Section in Geneva, supporting the secretariat of the Global Cluster Coordination Group (GCCG). The role covers research, policy support, meeting coordination, data platform management, and drafting of materials on humanitarian response and coordination. Flexible in format — in-person in Geneva, remote, or hybrid. Unpaid. Deadline: 25 March 2026.
🇨🇭 Did You Know? Geneva is home to more international organisations and NGO headquarters than any other city in the world — including the UN Office at Geneva, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and OCHA itself. It is widely considered the global capital of humanitarian action and international diplomacy.
What Will You Do?
🔬Assist in designing and preparing studies on humanitarian response and coordination — covering topics such as localisation, cash programming, accountability to affected populations, and more
📝Research, analyse, and present information from multiple sources — and help draft written materials including study sections, background papers, policy notes, infographics, and presentations
🗂️Maintain reference and resource materials on humanitarian policy and coordination, and support the updating of data platforms and general planning within the section
🌍Follow current humanitarian affairs and related political, policy, and gender issues to keep the team's work grounded in the latest developments
🤝Support the secretariat of the Global Cluster Coordination Group (GCCG) — preparing and organising hybrid meetings, drafting agendas and background materials, managing logistics, and tracking follow-up actions
💬Communicate with cluster coordinators and other stakeholders, and maintain the GCCG's online collaboration platform
🗒️Support the organisation of meetings, workshops, and events — including note-taking and administrative assistance as needed
💡 Did You Know? The Global Cluster Coordination Group (GCCG) — whose secretariat this intern will directly support — is the interagency body that oversees the UN's Cluster System, the primary mechanism for coordinating humanitarian response across sectors such as food security, health, shelter, WASH, and protection in crisis settings worldwide. Supporting its secretariat means contributing to the architecture of global humanitarian response itself.
Eligibility & Requirements
🎓You are enrolled in or have completed a graduate programme (master's level or higher) — OR you are in the final year of a first university degree, preferably in political science, social science, humanitarian affairs, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, earth sciences, or a related field
🗣️Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required — knowledge of French and/or another UN official language is a strong advantage
✍️Excellent writing and communication skills are desirable — this role involves substantial drafting work
📊Experience with MS Excel, data analysis, and data visualisation is desirable
🗂️Skills in information management, coordination, administration, or translation are an asset
📋No professional work experience is required — academic background and relevant skills are the primary criteria for selection
Practical Information
💰This internship is unpaid — the United Nations does not financially remunerate interns. All costs related to travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution
🖥️The modality is flexible — preferably full-time and in-person in Geneva, but remote or hybrid arrangements can be explored based on the successful candidate's request
🛂Interns who are not Swiss citizens or permanent residents may need to obtain appropriate visa and work authorisation — discuss requirements with OCHA before accepting any offer
Key Information
Application Link
🔗 Apply here: careers.un.org — Job Opening ID: 273690
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