Humanitarian Affairs and Coordination Intern

Work Location

Kuwait, In person

Expected duration

3 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principles 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 Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs officer in OCHA’s Liaison Office in Kuwait, the Humanitarian Intern will be providing support related to humanitarian engagement with the Government of Kuwait and partners in the country. This internship is based in Kuwait in person for a maximum period of six months, beginning at a mutually agreed time. OCHA Kuwait is part of the External Relations and Partnerships Section, which sits within Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation Branch within the Financing and Partnerships Division. It aims to strengthen the engagement and partnership with all Member States, regional and intergovernmental organisations, in support of OCHA’s role in promoting principled and effective humanitarian action and to sustain and grow political and financial support to the multilateral humanitarian system. Responsibilities The intern will perform a variety of tasks, depending on the internship period, including but not limited to: • Supports in the monitoring, analysis and reporting on humanitarian needs • Assists in the planning of events organized / co-organized by OCHA in Kuwait. • Supports in developing and disseminating information material on humanitarian issues and in ensuring visibility to OCHA-Kuwait partnerships. • Support in coordinating meetings and consultations with partners in the country. • Draft summaries, meeting minutes and reports. • Performs any other administrative work as required.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, applicants must (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 level or equivalent)in political and/or social science, international relations, public administration, law, economics, communication and media, or other related fields. Applicants are not required to have professional working experience for participation in the Programme though any academic and/or practical experience in humanitarian affairs issues including humanitarian financing mechanisms, humanitarian funding trends, climate change adaptation programming, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development and/or disaster risk reduction is desirable. Applicants should be computer literate in standard software applications required Demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter is required Candidate must demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views is required

Languages

Fluent in both English and Arabic Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand)

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.