Switzerland: Internship - Humanitarian Affairs (I)
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 22 Feb 2014
ORGANISATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING: The United Nations (UN) 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. UNOCHA also ensures that there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort.
This profile shall be used to solicit qualified applicants for internship with the United Nations (UN) in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), based in Geneva, Switzerland.
The intern may be assigned to a Section within one of the following OCHA Geneva branches: Office of the Director (OD), Communications Services Branch (CSB), Information Services Branch (ISB), Administrative Services Branch (ASB), Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Branch (PRMB), Programme Support Branch (PSB), Emergency Services Branch (ESB), Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), and Coordination and Response Division-Geneva (CRD-Geneva).
The internship programme is a unpaid and fulltime offer for an initial period of two months or longer, with an opportunity for extension (not exceeding a combined duration of six months) depending on the needs of the department.
The intern is expected to work five days (Monday to Friday) per week (40 hours) within theSection to which s/he is assigned. S/he shall report primarily to the head of the relevantSection. The starting date shall extend to cover the period beginning mid-January throughJune 2014 (winter-spring academic semester).
RESPONSIBILITIES: The intern's daily responsibilities will consist of supporting the general work of OCHA, providing specific support in relation to the Section's work, and depending on her/hisbackground, duties may include but are not limited to: In consultation with an Officer,assisting in the design and preparation of studies, events and presentations on humanitarian,disaster, emergency relief, and related issues and in various follow-up activities; assists inresearch, analysis and presentation of information gathered from diverse sources on assignedtopics/issues; contributes to the preparation of various written documents, e.g. assisting in thedrafting of sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentarydocuments etc.; develops and maintains reference/resource information on specific topics orpolicy-related issues, contributing and responding to various inquiries and informationrequests internally and externally; assists in the organization of meetings, seminars,conferences, workshops, and other fora with other agencies and partners to facilitateexchanges of professional expertise and views on related subjects/issues, serving as reporterto such events; maintains awareness of current development affairs and related issues, toinclude relevant political, policy, gender considerations or other developments in specificsubject area, country or region concerned; and performs other duties as required by theofficers and the head of the Section. In addition to the general responsibilities outlined above,the intern may be assigned specific tasks, as follows: For OD: Supports the Office of theDirector and Preparedness Analysis and Coordination Section (PACS) on ad hoc projects ofshort duration; researches, compiles and disseminates information on humanitarian action(including emergency preparedness), incorporating published material in the intranet and/orwebsite; assists in the development of a knowledge management system, in whichinformation and knowledge on humanitarian action is systematically acquired, updated anddisseminated; provides support in facilitating information exchange and partnership buildingby organising regular meetings and consultations; assists in developing written/visualpromotional materials, newsletters, fact sheets, publications and/or content for onlinedissemination; facilitates the preparation of meetings (e.g. IASC Sub-Working Group onPreparedness), preparing background documents, supporting logistical arrangements andnote-taking. For PRMB: Assists in contacting external partners in order to update existingcontact database; assists in the preparation of partnership related meetings in Geneva (agenda, background documentation, notes and summary records); liaises with OCHA staff atheadquarters (HQ) and other relevant partners to gather and disseminates information aboutpartnerships; assists with the preparation of inputs and ensure that they are carried out in anefficient and timely manner; assists in updating PRMB's partnership database (including onintranet and website) and contact database; accompanies the supervisor to meetings withpartners, UN agencies and take notes; assists in the preparation of policy guidance onOCHA's partnerships with member states, inter-governmental and regional organisations andthe private sector (partners); supports OCHA's Regional and Liaison Offices in theirpartnership work, including strategic prioritization and cross fertilisation of best practices inpartnership work; assists in research and analysis on identified priority partners; participatesin other assignments as requested. PRMB consists of: Donor Relations Section (DRS),Partnerships Coordination Section (PCS), Private Sector Section (PSS), African Union(AULO), Brussels Liaison Office (BLO), and Gulf Liaison Office (GLO). For PSB: Assists in the research and development of communication materials and website presence to enhance the visibility of information relating to the humanitarian programme cycle; researches various thematic and political initiatives of relevance to the branch; supports the development and editing of humanitarian appeals, the tracking and verification of financial data regarding humanitarian appeal; assists in the organisation of programme cycle training events, humanitarian appeal launches, and other initiatives; assists and conducts research, drafting talking points and background documents on various topics, including country specific situations and in other relevant areas of work of the branch; assists in any other duties as required. PSB consists of the following sections: Coordinated Assessment Support Section (CASS), Common Humanitarian Action Planning Section (CHAP), and Humanitarian Coordination Support Section (HCSS). For ESB: Assists in 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; supports effective international response efforts through the provision of civil–military coordination, logistical support, information technology expertise and emergency relief stocks; manages rosters and networks to ensure the availability of humanitarian specialists, environmental experts, and technical modules to support field operations; supports the coordination of staff learning and development programmes, including the management of specific training cycles; and works with partners to ensure appropriate international standards for response are constantly developed and updated, including international urban search and rescue (USAR) activities, civil–military coordination, environmental emergencies response; forges, maintains and develops effectivenetworks (e.g. UNDAC, INSARAG, International Humanitarian Partnership, Surge Capacityresource providers); provides advice in connection with OCHA's mandated actions in regardto natural disasters, environmental emergencies and technological accidents. ESB consists ofthe following sections: Civil-Military Coordination Section (CMCS), Field Coordination Support Section (FCSS), Environmental Emergencies Section (EES) and the Surge Capacityand Logistics Section. For IASC: Supports the preparations for the IASC Working Group Meetings, IASC Principals and IASC Weekly meetings, including assisting in the preparatoryprocess for background documents, logistic arrangements and preparation of summary records; supports the liaison with UN and non UN humanitarian agencies and other relevantbodies to ensure timely information sharing and attends meeting of IASC member agenciesand other relevant events; supports in monitoring the progress in IASC Subsidiary Bodies(Sub Working Groups, Task Forces, Reference Groups) by drafting notes and identifying gaps, bringing them to the attention of the Chief of the IASC Secretariat; supports the development of information management mechanisms within the IASC Secretariat and develops relevant information dissemination tools (maintenance of IASC website, promotionmaterial, newsletters); strengthens information management through monitoring of humanitarian developments throughout the world and through careful information analysis bypreparing IASC humanitarian updates; serves as primary focal point for the IASC Secretariatfor specific topics or policy-related issues covered by the IASC Subsidiary Bodies or IASCWorking Groups. For CRD-Geneva: Supports CRD-Geneva in the creation and/or updating of databases for disaster-prone countries, and of countries with potential and emerging conflicts, through researching relevant websites, OCHA disaster and complex emergency files, situation reports; assists in contacting external partners in order update existing contact database; assists with the preparation of briefing notes on disasters and the activities of the Section; assists with updating access and security-related information; supports the Section with copying, compiling records and filing of current emergencies records; assists in the preparation of meetings in Geneva (agenda, background documentation, notes and summaryrecords); accompanies the Desk Officer to meetings with donors, humanitarian partners, UNagencies and with note-taking. The Humanitarian Leadership Strengthening Unit (HLSU), within CRD-Geneva, interacts on a daily basis with Humanitarian and Resident Coordinators,who are the highest-level and most experienced UN humanitarian officials in most field locations. Reporting to the Director of CRD, OCHA New York, HLSU works on behalf of the IASC to strengthen the humanitarian coordination leadership function. In this context, theintern will contribute to OCHA's leadership strengthening agenda by promoting dialogue andbuilding consensus among humanitarian partners on key normative issues relating to humanitarian coordination leadership; supports the expansion of the pool of potential Humanitarian Coordinators through the Humanitarian Coordination Pool; helps to build a constituency of support among IASC agencies for qualified candidates for Humanitarian andResident Coordinator positions; supports in the improvement in the leadership, coordination,and team development skills of senior humanitarian officials; and with the collectiveleadership of humanitarian country teams.
COMPETENCIESCLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients"and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors on-going developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. 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 the 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 creditfor team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
EDUCATION: Applicants must be currently enrolled in an Advanced-level/second university degreeprogramme or higher (i.e. Masters, graduate, post-graduate, doctorate or equivalent),preferably in political science, social science, international studies, public administration,economics, engineering, earth sciences or a related field. Enrolment in any of the abovementioned disciplines must cover the entire duration of the internship. Applicants pursuing their studies in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages, having completed at least four years of full-time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree, may be seriously considered for an internship.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Applicants are not required to have professional working experience for participation in the internship programme however any practical and academic experience in humanitarian issues including humanitarian financing mechanisms, humanitarian funding trends, gender equality programming is an asset. Research experience and published work in any of the above or related areas is desirable as it is literacy in using standard office software applications.
LANGUAGES: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For thisinternship, fluency in English (both written and verbal skills) is required. Knowledge of other working language of the UN Secretariat is desirable.
ASSESSMENT METHOD: Potential candidates will be contacted by hiring manager directly for further consideration.
How to apply:
SPECIAL NOTICE: The OCHA internship is normally for an initial period of two months with an opportunity for extension (not exceeding a combined period of 6 months). Internships are unpaidopportunities and interns are responsible for travel, accommodation, medical insurance, visas,and living expenses for the duration of their service. The internship programme is full-timewith the expectation that the intern works five days per week (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Internsshall not be eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, positions at the professional level andabove carrying international recruitment status in the Secretariat for a period of six monthsfollowing the end of their internship.
To apply to this internship please go to: https://inspira.un.org.
For further information, please consult the UN Career portal at: https://careers.un.org or the UNOG internship website at: http://www.unog.ch.
A completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incompleteapplications will not be reviewed. The cover note must include the title of the advanceddegreeyou are currently pursuing, the graduation date (when will you be graduating from theprogramme), the IT (information technology) skills and other programmes in which you areproficient, your top three areas of interest/department preferences, explaining why you are thebest candidate for the specified department, and your interest in the United Nations.Successful applicants must have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the UnitedNations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter, they must also have ademonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgroundsand beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differingopinions and views. Please do not forget to designate three references. Due to a high volumeof applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted.
UNITED NATIONS CONSIDERATIONS: The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariatis a non-smoking environment.
