Intern on Humanitarian Aid and Conflict

Do you want to fight for equality? Tackling inequality at its roots, together with colleagues, our partner organizations and activists in more than 90 countries? To change the systems behind it, once and for all!

Oxfam Novib stands behind the people who stand up for equality. Together, we fight for a world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of gender, ethnicity or skin color. A world where everyone feels safe; where income gaps are shrinking instead of growing, where climate change is tackled in a firmer and more honest way.

Equality is the common thread in our work and projects, both internally and externally. We recognize that our team of colleagues can become even more diverse, and that only with a diverse team can we gain a broad perspective on the world. Therefore, we want to encourage everyone who hesitates to apply, no matter the reason. Our aim is to create an environment where everyone not only feels welcome, but where diversity is embraced and celebrated. Let's strive together to build a team that offers a rich variety of perspectives, enabling us to achieve an inclusive and inspiring work environment.

Apply and become part of Oxfam Novib!

SAFE Unit

The SAFE Unit within the Oxfam Novib Programmes Department is responsible for upholding and promoting Oxfam’s humanitarian mandate within Oxfam Novib through programme/proposal development, resource mobilization, and advocacy and campaigns in the Netherlands. The Unit also develops and co-implements (influencing) programs in the following areas: Promoting Safe and Resilient Communities and Supporting People on the Move. In the fiscal year 2022/2023, Oxfam worked with more than 11 million crisis-affected people through 262 projects across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle-East.

Background of the position

Our Unit is currently seeking to provide increased, quality humanitarian assistance to communities affected by conflict and natural disaster across the globe, in collaboration with Oxfam country offices, other Oxfam affiliates, and local and national humanitarian partners. For this purpose, we are seeking an intern to support the team in growing its portfolio of humanitarian programmes. Moreover, we are also looking for someone interested in policy influencing and campaigns, to support on (humanitarian) policy analysis and research.

Main tasks

• Write a literature study and present an overview of the work of the Dutch government’s policies and programs on WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), including lessons learned.
• Support on humanitarian grant proposal writing and donor reporting.
• Support on project implementation, e.g. through coordination/support on learning and influencing activities, and the Unit’s quarterly reporting.
• Provide thematic analysis/support on themes: anticipatory humanitarian action, local humanitarian leadership, triple nexus (humanitarian, development, peacebuilding).
• Draft policy/communication briefs on the intersection between humanitarian crises and structural underlying causes. Organize internal learning sessions to promote mutual understanding between departments on these intersectionalities.
• Support on outreach to other organizations and to activists working on various topical crises.
• Draft the monthly Safe Unit newsletter and various internal/external communications materials.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to brainstorming sessions.
• Carry out Ad hoc tasks as per organizational needs, including note taking, event organization, logistics, administrative support, translating, editing, etc.

Who are we looking for?

• You are enrolled in a PhD program/university/HBO/MBO and studying a relevant field such as humanitarian studies, conflict studies, journalism, international relations, political science, sociology, law, etc.
• You have affinity with and/or (lived) experience working on conflict, humanitarian and human rights issues, advocacy, policy analysis, campaigns, politics, social change and civil society.
• You have affinity with coordination, communications, and knowledge management.
• You have excellent writing, organizational and coordination skills.
• You think and act analytically and independently, and creatively to address problems.
• You are highly motivated, proactive, result-oriented and creative.
• You have strong cultural sensitivity and gender awareness.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants to the internships at Oxfam Novib must meet the following requirements:

• Be an active student of 18 years of age minimum;
• Be enrolled at a Dutch educational institution (first level university degree, higher schools (HBO) or other), with the internship being a requirement in the curriculum;
• Have the legal right to live and work in The Netherlands or be prepared to obtain the right to follow an internship as part of their study in the Dutch educational institution. A three-partite internship agreement (between Oxfam Novib, the educational institution and the student) will be signed to that effect.
• Have less than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience.
• Not having been in employment with Oxfam Novib previously.

Our Offer

An intern in Oxfam Novib is offered an internship contract for the duration of the internship and a monthly allowance based on €450,- per month on a basis of a 36-hour work week, pro-rata in case of less hours. Depending on candidate preferences, the intern can work 24, 32 or 36 hours (workload will be adjusted to suit working hours). The intern is expected to have a student OV card; however, if not applicable, a reimbursement of commuting costs will be offered.

Oxfam Novib works on hybrid basis: partly from office our office in The Hague, partly from home.

During the internship, the intern is supervised, overarching by the manager and daily/weekly by a designated colleague/buddy. The period of this internship takes place between August/September 2024 until January/February 2025 (approximately a period of 6 months).

Working at Oxfam Novib 

All our work is guided by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.

At Oxfam Novib, we work according to the Feminist Principles - Oxfam Policy & Practice.

Oxfam Novib is based on the power of difference. That is why we aim to attract a diverse mix of talented people who share our standards, values, and principles, and who are committed to prevent and eliminate any type of misconduct.

We have an active policy against sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any form of abuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct. This subject will be covered in our application and selection process.

Want to apply? 

Do you believe that this is the internship you are looking for? Then we would like to receive your application before the closing date of 5 May 2024. We will start the interviews as soon as we have enough candidates, so don't wait too long to submit your application! Please note that only applications received before the closing date and submitted via our application portal will be taken into consideration. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Suying Lai (she/her), Manager of the SAFE Unit at suying.lai@oxfamnovib.nl