Job
Remote Voluntary Internship in Research, Communication, and Humanitarian Knowledge Management
- Organization: Shelter Centre
- Location: International
- Deadline: Sun Aug 23 2026
- Category: Advocacy/Communications
About this opportunity
**Background**
Founded in 2004, Shelter Centre, [www.sheltercentre.org](https://www.sheltercentre.org/), is a small international humanitarian NGO registered in Switzerland which does not implement operations alone but instead collaborates with agencies in direct support of their operations, as well as in sector capacity building. Shelter Centre is dedicated to supporting collaboration, consensus and capacity throughout the global technical humanitarian community of practice. We serve the global technical community of practice with regular global practitioners' events and resources, aiming at providing shelter to populations affected by conflict and natural disasters.
**Internships Description and Requirements**
**Role and Objectives**
We are seeking a passionate, well-organised, and results-oriented young professional to join our dynamic global team. This role is ideal for an individual committed to a future career in humanitarian action, seeking to gain broad experience across research, content development, and project coordination.
You will be a key member of the team, contributing to a variety of activities. This includes conducting research and drafting reports for our projects, supporting knowledge management within the Humanitarian Library, assisting with the fundraising efforts that sustain our work, and/or developing graphic and written content for our social media pages. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop a versatile skill set while contributing to impactful humanitarian initiatives.
**Main Responsibilities and Tasks**
Selected interns will support Shelter Centre in one or more of the following activities based on individual preferences, previous experience, and team needs.
Humanitarian Library
- Support the development of the Humanitarian Library by building and curating resource channels and collections.
- Understand the context and audience needs for guidance documents, recognising affected populations as the primary responders.
- Support the coordination of ongoing projects and follow up on action items.
Communication & Coordination
- Assist in the development and delivery of presentations at conferences (e.g., HNPW).
- Support the Fundraising team with research, drafting proposals, and identifying funding opportunities.
- Help communicate the organisation's strategy and impact across social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, X).
- Work collaboratively with the team.
Project Support
- Conduct literature reviews and background research on humanitarian topics.
- Contribute to designing research methodologies and tools.
- Collect, clean, and analyse qualitative and quantitative data.
- Draft, revise, and finalise a range of documents, including research reports, policy briefs, presentations, and proposals.
- Ensure all work adheres to ethical standards and data protection protocols.
**Education, Skills, and Experience**
Ongoing master's students whose programme requires an internship placement are also eligible to apply.
**Required**
- A demonstrable commitment to humanitarian action and a desire to build a career in the sector.
- A university degree involving structured research (e.g., Social Sciences, International Development, Humanitarian Studies, Communication, Media Studies, or a related field). Applicants with proven research and proposal development experience will also be considered carefully.
- Strong organisational skills with demonstrated experience in project management, multi-tasking, and working accurately to meet deadlines.
- Excellent written and spoken English (minimum C1 proficiency).
- Solid computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
**Desirable**
- Proven ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team.
- Experience with social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, X) and communication strategies.
- Familiarity with desktop publishing tools (e.g. Canva, Adobe Photoshop).
**Benefits**
Volunteers and interns are fundamental to Shelter Centre’s work and receive personal development opportunities, including individualised mentoring sessions and career guidance. Additionally, volunteers and interns will receive a recommendation letter upon successful completion. They will also have opportunities to network remotely with professionals in international humanitarian action and benefit from a team-led programme for professional development, involving external speakers, team speakers, skills development, and undertaking online trainings together.
**Conditions**
Availability: Six months, with a minimum of four months and the possibility of extension.
Commitment: Full-time (35 hours/week) or part-time (20 hours/week) basis.
All positions begin with a one-month probationary period.
The position is virtual, meaning interns work from home. Shelter Centre will only consider applications from individuals who hold or are likely to obtain a valid permit allowing them to reside and undertake an internship in their country of work.
Successful candidates will bear their own insurance, accommodation, living, and travel costs. Travel is not required.
Founded in 2004, Shelter Centre, [www.sheltercentre.org](https://www.sheltercentre.org/), is a small international humanitarian NGO registered in Switzerland which does not implement operations alone but instead collaborates with agencies in direct support of their operations, as well as in sector capacity building. Shelter Centre is dedicated to supporting collaboration, consensus and capacity throughout the global technical humanitarian community of practice. We serve the global technical community of practice with regular global practitioners' events and resources, aiming at providing shelter to populations affected by conflict and natural disasters.
**Internships Description and Requirements**
**Role and Objectives**
We are seeking a passionate, well-organised, and results-oriented young professional to join our dynamic global team. This role is ideal for an individual committed to a future career in humanitarian action, seeking to gain broad experience across research, content development, and project coordination.
You will be a key member of the team, contributing to a variety of activities. This includes conducting research and drafting reports for our projects, supporting knowledge management within the Humanitarian Library, assisting with the fundraising efforts that sustain our work, and/or developing graphic and written content for our social media pages. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop a versatile skill set while contributing to impactful humanitarian initiatives.
**Main Responsibilities and Tasks**
Selected interns will support Shelter Centre in one or more of the following activities based on individual preferences, previous experience, and team needs.
Humanitarian Library
- Support the development of the Humanitarian Library by building and curating resource channels and collections.
- Understand the context and audience needs for guidance documents, recognising affected populations as the primary responders.
- Support the coordination of ongoing projects and follow up on action items.
Communication & Coordination
- Assist in the development and delivery of presentations at conferences (e.g., HNPW).
- Support the Fundraising team with research, drafting proposals, and identifying funding opportunities.
- Help communicate the organisation's strategy and impact across social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, X).
- Work collaboratively with the team.
Project Support
- Conduct literature reviews and background research on humanitarian topics.
- Contribute to designing research methodologies and tools.
- Collect, clean, and analyse qualitative and quantitative data.
- Draft, revise, and finalise a range of documents, including research reports, policy briefs, presentations, and proposals.
- Ensure all work adheres to ethical standards and data protection protocols.
**Education, Skills, and Experience**
Ongoing master's students whose programme requires an internship placement are also eligible to apply.
**Required**
- A demonstrable commitment to humanitarian action and a desire to build a career in the sector.
- A university degree involving structured research (e.g., Social Sciences, International Development, Humanitarian Studies, Communication, Media Studies, or a related field). Applicants with proven research and proposal development experience will also be considered carefully.
- Strong organisational skills with demonstrated experience in project management, multi-tasking, and working accurately to meet deadlines.
- Excellent written and spoken English (minimum C1 proficiency).
- Solid computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
**Desirable**
- Proven ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team.
- Experience with social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, X) and communication strategies.
- Familiarity with desktop publishing tools (e.g. Canva, Adobe Photoshop).
**Benefits**
Volunteers and interns are fundamental to Shelter Centre’s work and receive personal development opportunities, including individualised mentoring sessions and career guidance. Additionally, volunteers and interns will receive a recommendation letter upon successful completion. They will also have opportunities to network remotely with professionals in international humanitarian action and benefit from a team-led programme for professional development, involving external speakers, team speakers, skills development, and undertaking online trainings together.
**Conditions**
Availability: Six months, with a minimum of four months and the possibility of extension.
Commitment: Full-time (35 hours/week) or part-time (20 hours/week) basis.
All positions begin with a one-month probationary period.
The position is virtual, meaning interns work from home. Shelter Centre will only consider applications from individuals who hold or are likely to obtain a valid permit allowing them to reside and undertake an internship in their country of work.
Successful candidates will bear their own insurance, accommodation, living, and travel costs. Travel is not required.
Advocacy/Communications
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