Internship in Global Projects and Operational Quality Standards Unit

Overview

Join to support strategic global projects and operational quality standards development.

You have:

• Currently enrolled in a graduate-level university degree in a relevant field such as International Relations, Social Science, Political Science, International Development, Humanitarian Aid, Public Administration, or equivalent.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Strong ability to structure information, analyze processes, and translate complex concepts into clear, actionable guidelines.
• A systematic approach to work, demonstrating a high degree of structure, an eye for detail, and a focus on delivering high-quality outputs.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team; possessing strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multicultural environment.
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office 365, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and familiarity with collaboration platforms like SharePoint.

Contract

This is a DRC - National contract. More about DRC - National contracts.

Are you interested in gaining high-level experience in system-building, policy development, and managing strategic global projects within one of the world's largest NGOs? If you are passionate about operational excellence, apply now to help shape DRC's global standards and innovation agenda!

Who We Are

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international humanitarian organization, currently implementing crucial work in 29 countries worldwide. Our mission is to provide protection, build self-reliance, and create hope for refugees and internally displaced persons.

The Global Projects and Operational Quality Standards (GP-OQS) Unit plays a central role in ensuring DRC's operations across all our country offices are efficient, coherent, and aligned with global best practices. Our joint mission is two-fold: we develop coherent policies and frameworks to enhance operational quality, and we lead strategic global projects that drive organizational learning, innovation, and operational excellence across the entire DRC structure.

About the Internship

You will join a dynamic and collaborative team in Copenhagen, supporting critical initiatives that strengthen DRC's global projects and overall operational framework. This internship is anchored in policy coherence, guidelines designs and the delivery of strategic Global Projects, offering a unique opportunity to gain insights into the inner workings of an international organization and contribute to projects with worldwide impact.

Your core tasks will include:

• Operational Policy Development: Co-lead the development of relevant operational guidelines and policies, working closely with Senior Advisors. This involves supporting the implementation of organization-wide consultations, conducting best practice research, drafting clear institutional guidance, and assisting with the piloting and roll-out with Country Operations.
• Gap Analysis and Mapping: Map operational policies and procedures gaps across the organization. This is achieved by analyzing existing data on cross-cutting and systemic issues across the organization and benchmarking DRC’s processes against good practices from other organizations in the sector.
• Global Projects Support: Provide crucial support in the planning and organization of workshops for major Global Projects (AHEAD & P2P) and for the Operational Quality Standards team. This includes logistics and planning for both Denmark-based events and international sessions in regional hubs (Nairobi, Istanbul,etc.).
• Internal Communication and Engagement: Support internal communications by organizing and updating the Unit's SharePoint site, helping to share news and updates about our work, and contributing to the drafting of the department's newsletter by collating and compiling inputs from various units.
• Administrative and Travel Coordination: Support efficient team function by planning and organizing travel for the Unit team members and assisting with essential administrative tasks.

• Social Event Organization: Support the Unit and Division in planning and organizing social and team-building events.

  About You

We are looking for a proactive, structured, and detail-oriented candidate who is eager to learn about operational systems and the implementation of global projects in a large-scale humanitarian organization. All employees and interns in DRC should master DRC's core competencies: Communicating, Taking the lead, Collaborating, Striving for excellence and Demonstrating integrity.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Education: Currently enrolled in a graduate-level university degree in a relevant field such as International Relations, Social Science, Political Science, International Development, Humanitarian Aid, Public Administration, or equivalent.
• Communication: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to structure information, analyze processes, and translate complex concepts into clear, actionable guidelines.
• Organizational Skills: A systematic approach to work, demonstrating a high degree of structure, an eye for detail, and a focus on delivering high-quality outputs.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team; possessing strong interpersonal and communication skills in a multicultural environment.
• IT Proficiency: Proficient user of Microsoft Office 365, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and familiarity with collaboration platforms like SharePoint.

Desired Experience (Added Value):

• Experience in graphic design, video, and content production for digital platforms.
• Knowledge of the humanitarian or development sector, particularly regarding operational compliance, quality assurance, or project cycle management.

We Offer

• Contract length: 4-6 months, subject to your study requirements.
• Workplace: DRC Headquarters, Lyngbyvej 100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Start date: Ideally beginning of January 2026.
• Working hours: Approximately 30-37 hours per week (subject to study requirements). We offer flexibility to accommodate study obligations.

The internship is not paid but we offer:

• 2,08 (unpaid) vacation days per month. The days can either be spent as you earn them or be accumulated
• Free lunch in our canteen (subject to our canteen being open)
• Free participation in our year-end/summer party

Please note: It is a requirement that you are enrolled in a university for the duration of the internship period in order to be considered for the internship.

Application Process

All applicants must send the following:

• A cover letter (in English)
• An updated CV (in English)
• Documentation that you are enrolled in a university

If you are applying for more than one internship with DRC, please indicate so in your cover letter.

Apply online on our Current Vacancies page at drc.ngo. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 24 November. WWe will review applications on a rolling basis. We expect to conduct interviews shortly after the deadline via Teams or in our Copenhagen headquarters.

Further Information

For questions regarding the internship please contact Giulia Canali, [email protected]

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 9 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: drc.ngo