UN OCHA Job 2026: Humanitarian Affairs Experience in Bangkok

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is offering a hands-on internship at its Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) in Bangkok, Thailand. This program provides a unique opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience in humanitarian coordination, emergency response, and public communication within a major UN agency.

 Internship Overview

OCHA is responsible for coordinating humanitarian actors to ensure coherent and effective responses to emergencies and disasters. The internship is available full-time or part-time, and can be conducted in-person, hybrid, or remotely from Bangkok. Interns will work closely with Humanitarian Affairs Officers in the Operations Unit and collaborate with other units such as the Public Information Unit and the Information Management Unit.

The internship duration is six months, providing extensive exposure to UN humanitarian operations in Asia and the Pacific.

Key Responsibilities

Interns may assist with:

• Situational Monitoring and Reporting: Track, analyze, and report on humanitarian developments; support rapid responses to sudden-onset emergencies.
• Research and Documentation: Prepare reports, research documents, communications, presentations, briefing notes, case studies, and official correspondence.
• Humanitarian Engagement: Support interactions with Chinese counterparts and other countries in the region.
• Communication Support: Create social media content and other communication materials in English and Chinese.
• Advocacy and Outreach: Collect information, liaise with humanitarian partners, governments, and media to support advocacy on humanitarian needs.
• Participation in Consultations: Join working groups, meetings, conferences, and inter-agency consultations related to humanitarian response.
• Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned by supervisors to support humanitarian operations.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must meet one of the following:

• Enrolled in, or have completed, a Master’s or PhD program (second university degree or higher)
• Enrolled in, or have completed, the final year of a first university degree program (bachelor’s or equivalent)

Other requirements:

• Relevant academic background in political science, international studies, humanitarian affairs, public information, communication, or related fields
• Fluency in English and Chinese (spoken and written)
• Strong computer literacy, especially MS Word, PowerPoint, and Teams
• Ability to draft reports, news articles, or social media posts
• Knowledge of humanitarian assistance, development, or survey design is a plus

No professional work experience is required, but relevant coursework and skills are expected.

Internship Benefits

While the internship is unpaid, participants gain:

• Practical experience in humanitarian coordination and emergency management
• Exposure to UN operations and inter-agency collaboration
• Opportunities to engage in research, communication, and advocacy projects
• Networking with professionals across UN agencies and humanitarian partners

Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Non-residents must secure the appropriate visa and work authorization.

Application Deadline

Applications for the OCHA Humanitarian Affairs Internship close on March 8, 2026. Early applications are recommended due to competitive selection.

 Final Thoughts

This internship is ideal for students passionate about humanitarian action, emergency response, and international cooperation. Working at UN OCHA in Bangkok provides valuable insight into coordinating global disaster response and shaping effective humanitarian strategies in Asia and the Pacific.