Key Internship Information
Organization: UNDRR – United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Country: Switzerland
City: Geneva
Office: UNDRR HQ Geneva
Work Location: Either remote or in-person
Expected duration: 1 Aug 26- 31 Jan 27
Application Deadline: 4 June 2026
Duties and Responsibilities
Organizational Setting and Reporting Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. The internship is for a period of six months, 1 August 2026 – 31 January 2027. The internship is UNPAID and full-time. Interns work five days per week. The intern will report to the Programme Management Officer in the UNDRR Interagency Cooperation Unit, under the overall supervision of the Head of Unit. The internship is either remote or in-person at duty station Geneva. Responsibilities Duties may include, but are not limited to: Assist in drafting and preparing background documents, reports, issue briefs, talking points, articles, presentations, meeting minutes, etc. Support organization of meetings and workshops, side events, and assist in strengthening strategic engagement with UN system partners and interagency partnerships, as well as broader stakeholders. Provide logistical and administrative support during meetings and conferences in virtual and hybrid modalities. Assist in collecting and systematizing information on disaster risk reduction practices and sustainable development issues, and in preparing briefing notes based on data analysis, including with support of AI. Support outreach and research activities related to disaster risk reduction related topics including linkages with Sustainable Development Goals, and risk-informing UN planning at the country level. Provide support to policy development and preparing written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports, talking points and speeches. Assist in maintaining databases, content of UNDRR partner workspaces, websites and mailing lists. Assist in strengthening knowledge management, developing communications products and maintenance of the UN Plan of Action on DRR for Resilience Multimedia Page. Competencies 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 credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings CLIENT 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 ongoing 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.
Qualifications/special skills
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations, 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); b. be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). Interested candidates must be pursuing or pursued their degree in areas related to this Job Opening. In addition, interested candidates must: -Be computer literate in standard software applications including MS Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point); – Skills in design software such as Canva and Adobe InDesign is desirable. -Have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter; and, -Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. 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. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. 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.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for this internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
Additional Information
Due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. This internship is designed to be full-time and in-person or remote for 6 months. It can be either in person in Geneva, or remote. Candidates considering the in-person modality are advised that Geneva is classified as a high-cost duty station and should ascertain that they can meet all related living expenses independently.
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.
Application Link:
https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/277159?language=en
