ERS internship

Support emergency response efforts coordination and logistics.

This opening expired 9 months ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

UNOCHA - Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

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Application deadline 9 months ago: Monday 25 Aug 2025 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Support emergency response efforts coordination and logistics.

You have:

  • Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher) or Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent).
  • Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this position. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Work Location

Geneva, Switzerland. Full-time and to be conducted in-person and/or remote and/or hybrid.

Expected duration

6 Months - Sept-25 to Mar-26

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is designed to be full-time and to be conducted in-person and/or remote and/or hybrid. The modality may be adjusted based on request of the successful candidate. The intern shall provide support in connection with ERS' mandated actions related to coordination of response efforts to new or escalating emergencies and disasters through 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 • support the maintenance and development of effective networks e.g. United Nation Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC), International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP), environmental emergency expert rosters and Surge Capacity resource providers.

Qualifications/special skills

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); or (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent). Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. 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 Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS Excell, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for this position. Knowledge of French 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.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience with emergency response coordination? The interviewer wants to assess relevant experience in managing emergencies. Provide examples of your involvement in emergency situations.
What software applications are you proficient in, particularly for this role? The interviewer seeks to understand your technical skills and readiness for the position. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks during a disaster response? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Have you worked in teams during high-pressure situations? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time you had to communicate critical information under tight deadlines. How did you manage? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What do you know about international humanitarian standards? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
In what ways can you contribute to capacity building in emergency response? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How comfortable are you with working remotely and using digital tools? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 9 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: careers.un.org