Application Guide
How to Apply for Social Media Intern
at UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
🏢 About UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
OCHA is the UN Secretariat's humanitarian coordination body, uniquely positioned to mobilize global emergency response and advocate for people in crisis. Working here means directly supporting the Financing and Outreach Division (FOD), which manages donor relations, pooled funds, and humanitarian finance innovation—making it an ideal place for someone passionate about the intersection of communications, fundraising, and humanitarian action.
About This Role
As a Social Media Intern in the Office of the Director (OD) within FOD, you will help amplify OCHA's fundraising and outreach messaging across digital platforms, supporting the Director and Programme Management Officer. Your work will directly contribute to raising awareness of humanitarian crises and mobilizing resources for people in need, making every post and campaign meaningful.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve drafting and scheduling social media posts for OCHA's accounts, monitoring engagement and news for rapid response opportunities, and coordinating with the FOD team to amplify fundraising appeals. You could also attend virtual meetings with colleagues in New York and field offices, and help analyze metrics to refine future campaigns.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Is Looking For
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a degree program in communications, journalism, international relations, marketing, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing social media accounts for a nonprofit, NGO, or advocacy campaign, with a strong understanding of Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
- Knowledge of humanitarian issues and the UN system, ideally through coursework, volunteering, or prior internships.
- Excellent writing and editing skills in English; additional UN language (French, Arabic, Spanish) is a plus.
- Ability to work remotely, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight any experience with social media analytics, content calendars, or campaigns that supported fundraising or advocacy—OCHA's FOD is focused on resource mobilization.
Familiarize yourself with OCHA's social media channels (e.g., @UNOCHA) and propose one or two concrete ideas for improving engagement or storytelling in your application.
Explicitly state your availability and preferred modality (full-time, part-time, remote, hybrid) as the job posting allows flexibility; this shows you read the details.
Use the UN's competency framework language in your application, emphasizing 'communication,' 'teamwork,' and 'technological awareness.'
If you have any experience with graphic design tools (Canva, Adobe Suite) or video editing, mention it—OCHA's social media often requires quick-turnaround visuals.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your motivation to support OCHA's mission to alleviate human suffering and coordinate emergency response, linking it to a specific humanitarian crisis or OCHA campaign.", "Concrete examples of social media campaigns you've managed, including metrics (e.g., engagement rate, follower growth) and how they contributed to a broader communications or fundraising goal.", 'Your ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural team and adapt to shifting priorities, as OCHA often responds to sudden emergencies.', 'How your academic background or previous internships prepared you to understand humanitarian finance, donor relations, or advocacy messaging.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore OCHA's official website, especially the Financing and Outreach Division (FOD) pages, to understand their key partners and funding mechanisms like the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
- → Follow OCHA's social media accounts (Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram) and analyze their content strategy, tone, and engagement patterns.
- → Read recent OCHA reports or press releases on major humanitarian crises (e.g., Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan) to be conversant in current priorities.
- → Learn about the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how OCHA's work aligns with them, particularly Goal 17 (Partnerships).
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention OCHA, FOD, or the social media aspect of the role—shows lack of research.
- Focusing only on personal social media experience (e.g., managing a personal Instagram) without demonstrating professional or organizational impact.
- Ignoring the UN's values and humanitarian principles in your application, such as neutrality, impartiality, and humanity.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: September 17, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs!