Humanitarian Data Science Intern

Internship

Overview

Support humanitarian action by researching and developing data-driven solutions.

You have:

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
• Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent).
• Experience with common data science frameworks like Numpy is desirable.
• Experience in Python scripting, as well as in other scripting languages such as R, is desirable.
• Practical experience applying artificial intelligence across multiple domains, preferably its use in support of humanitarian action, is desirable.
• Practical experience in developing infographics and data visualizations using tools like Adobe Illustrator, Power BI, is desirable.
• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

Contract

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

Work Location

This internship is designed to be full-time or part-time and may be conducted in person, remotely, or in a hybrid format, with the modality adjustable based on the request of the successful candidate. It is offered for a maximum period of six (6) months, beginning at a mutually agreed time, and is preferably full-time, based in person in Geneva (Switzerland), though remote or hybrid arrangements may also be explored.

Expected duration

April - September 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the part of the UN Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. The Strategic Prioritization and Practices Branch (SPPB) helps OCHA and partners deliver more effective joint responses using innovative, state-of-the-art coordination tools and services. The work of the Branch focuses on the key activities which enable effective coordination: needs assessment and analysis, humanitarian response planning and continuous monitoring. SPPB aims to ensure OCHA and partner staff have the skills, tools and technical support needed to meet the needs of people affected by crises through a well- coordinated collective response effort, within the framework of a rigorous Humanitarian Programme Cycle. In general, the intern shall support OCHA 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, analyzing 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, work-shops, 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. In addition to the general responsibilities outlined above, the intern shall be given specific tasks related to the Strategic Planning and Proritization Branch (SPPB). The intern, under the general guidance of a primary supervisor, shall be assigned to the Humanitarian Programme Cycle Section (HPCS). The internship is being offered for a period of six (6) months, beginning at a mutually agreed time.

Qualifications/special skills

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); - Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent), preferably in areas related to political science, social science, humanitarian affairs, international studies, public administration, economics, engineering, digital communication, earth sciences or in a related field. Do you meet any of the above-mentioned required criteria? If yes, please indicate which one. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate or proof of university enrollment at a later stage, if selected. 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. -Experience with common data science frameworks: Numpy, and creating CLI tools with industry-standard packages, is desirable. -Experience in Python scripting, as well as in other scripting languages such as R, is desirable. -Practical experience applying artificial intelligence across multiple domains, preferably its use in support of humanitarian action, is desirable. -Practical experience in developing infographics and data visualizations using tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Power BI, and other relevant platforms is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 2 months ago - Source: careers.un.org