Intern - Policy & Communications

The Nansen Initiative Agenda for the Protection of Cross-Border Displaced Persons in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change (Protection Agenda) was endorsed by 109 delegations during an intergovernmental global consultation on 12-13 October 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland, which marked the end of the Nansen Initiative.

The Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) was established on 1 July 2016 to follow up on the work of the Nansen Initiative and to implement the recommendations of the Protection Agenda.

The PDD embarks on its Strategic Framework 2024-2030 with the overall objective to support States and other stakeholders to strengthen the protection of persons displaced in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change, and to prevent or reduce disaster displacement risks in countries of origin. To enable the work of the Platform, the following structure has been put in place:

1) Steering Group,

2) Advisory Committee 

3) Secretariat and

4) Group of Friends.

The position is full time and will be based in Geneva, Switzerland.


Under the direct supervision of the Policy Officer at the PDD Secretariat, the Intern will: 

• Assist the Policy Officer with relevant disaster displacement research, policy review and analysis.

• Assist with the collection and documentation of examples of effective practices in addressing disaster-displacement and effective practices on managing disaster displacement risks in countries of origin.

• Assist in mapping of areas and regions most at risk of disaster displacement, including those regions vulnerable to slow-onset events associated with the adverse effects of climate change.

• Assist the Communication Officer to develop content material for the website and support social media work.

• Support dissemination of the Nansen Initiative Protection Agenda.

• Assist with the preparation of, and reporting from, meetings organized by the Chair and the Secretariat of the Platform on Disaster Displacement (e.g. Steering Group meetings, meetings of the Advisory Committee, side events etc.).

• Perform other policy, research and administrative tasks as required

Training components and learning elements

The intern will be part of a team and will be learning on the job on a daily basis. The supervisor will allocate dedicated time in order to improve the intern’s understanding of the functioning of PDD and the UN in general as needed. The proximity of other UN agencies and UNOG offers opportunities for numerous briefings and presentations.

Training in ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system if so required

The intern will be able to participate in diverse training offered by UNOPS, including online courses as applicable. Other opportunities will be discussed with the intern upon arrival. 

Participation in missions or training courses (if applicable)

The intern may have the opportunity to participate in missions and training courses in relation to the work of PDD as required.

All UNOPS interns are required to share a common understanding of UNOPS’ and the UN’s mandate, policies and activities. Therefore, all UNOPS interns are required to follow and complete the UNOPS mandatory courses.      

Academic qualifications 

• Candidates should be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. (or the equivalent) in law, humanitarian affairs, international relations, or another related field, ideally with a specialization in international human rights law and/or the protection of displaced persons or have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the application date of the internship.

Internship-related experiences

• At least 1 year of professional experience in either government, diplomatic, non-governmental or international civil service with experience in the field of law, human rights, and/or protection of displaced persons is preferred.

•  Fluent oral and written English is required. A working knowledge of French is desired.    

Computer Literacy

•   A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite Applications is desirable

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• Geneva, Switzerland is a family duty station.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.