The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is recruiting ERS Interns at OCHA-Geneva, Switzerland (Job Opening ID 287340). Interns support ERS' mandated actions to coordinate response efforts to new or escalating emergencies and disasters. The internship runs from December 2026 to June 2027, can be full time and/or part time, and in person, remote or hybrid. No professional work experience is required. The deadline is 16 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full UN posting, and every detail is set out below.
Where and How the Internship Takes Place
📍 Work location: OCHA-Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
🕘 Time commitment: full time and/or part time
💻 Modality: in person and/or remote and/or hybrid
🔧 The modality may be adjusted based on the request of the successful candidate and operational relevance
📆 Expected duration: December 2026 to June 2027
What Does the ERS Intern Support?
The intern provides support in connection with ERS' mandated actions related to the coordination of response efforts to new or escalating emergencies and disasters, through the provision of various emergency response services:
🚀 Rapid deployment of staff and experts
📦 Provision of operations and OCHA logistics support
📘 Compilation and dissemination of operational response guidance
🎓 Capacity building of responders as well as partnership building
🛡️ Strengthening national and international disaster response and response preparedness capacities
🔎 Facilitating initial disaster assessment and coordination through the timely deployment of appropriate staff resources and expertise
📋 Managing rosters and networks to ensure effective deployment of humanitarian experts
🛠️ Provision of technical services to support field operations
🏗️ Working with partners to ensure appropriate international standards for response are developed, including international urban search and rescue (USAR) activities
Humanitarian Networks You Will Help Maintain
Interns support the maintenance and development of effective networks, for example:
🌐 United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC)
🆘 International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG)
🤝 International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP)
🧩 Stand-by Partnership (SBP)
🌱 Environmental emergency expert rosters
📈 Surge Capacity resource providers
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Academic Eligibility: Which Students and Graduates Qualify?
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 bachelor's degree or equivalent)
In your application, you are asked to indicate which criterion you meet and attach proof. You will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.
Experience and Field of Study
🙌 Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience
🧭 However, a field of study closely related to the type of internship you are applying for is required
Required and Desirable Skills
💻 Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and MS Teams (required)
✍️ Strong communication skills, both written and oral (required)
⚡ Ability to multitask, prioritize and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment (required)
📱 Knowledge of event management tools/platforms and social media tools (desirable)
Language Requirements
🗣️ English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat
🇬🇧 Fluency in spoken and written English is required
🇫🇷 Knowledge of French is desirable
Is the OCHA Internship Paid? Costs, Travel and Visas
🚫 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 takes place 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
Because the internship can be done remotely or in a hybrid format, the modality may be adjusted at the candidate's request, subject to operational relevance.
The UN Does Not Charge Any 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.
How to Apply
🖥️ Apply online through the UN careers portal (see the Links section below)
✅ Indicate which academic criterion (a or b) you meet
📎 Attach proof of your enrolment or degree
📜 Be ready to provide an official certificate at a later stage
⏰ Apply by 16 November 2026
Find more placements like this one in the Internship category on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do ERS interns at OCHA Geneva do?
They support ERS' mandated actions to coordinate response efforts to new or escalating emergencies and disasters, including rapid deployment of experts, logistics support, response guidance, capacity building, roster management and networks such as UNDAC and INSARAG.
Can I do the OCHA ERS internship remotely?
Yes. The internship can be in person, remote or hybrid, and full time and/or part time. The modality may be adjusted at the request of the successful candidate and based on operational relevance.
When does the internship take place?
The expected duration is December 2026 to June 2027.
Do I need work experience?
No. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, but a field of study closely related to the internship is required.
Who is eligible academically?
You must be enrolled in or have completed a graduate programme, or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree (minimum bachelor's or equivalent).
Is the internship paid?
No. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Travel, visa, accommodation and living costs are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
Which languages are required?
Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.
Will I need a visa?
Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Switzerland may need the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Discuss your visa requirements before accepting the offer.
Does the UN charge an application fee?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Deadline
⏳ 16 November 2026
Links
📝 Job opening 287340 on UN Careers: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/287340?language=en
🖥️ Apply via Inspira (Job Opening ID 287340): https://inspira.un.org/psp/PUNA1J/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Action=A&UNAction=Apply&JobOpeningId=287340&languageCd=ENG
