Protection Internship

Job Posting Organization:
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization established to save lives, protect rights, and build a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. The organization operates in over 130 countries, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to providing assistance and protection to millions of individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. UNHCR's mission is to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country. The organization works tirelessly to uphold the rights of refugees and displaced persons, advocating for their protection and well-being.

Job Overview:
The Protection Internship within the Community-Based Protection (CBP) unit at UNHCR is designed to provide the intern with hands-on experience in the field of protection, particularly focusing on community-based approaches. The intern will support the CBP unit, which is responsible for implementing strategies that enhance the protection of forcibly displaced and stateless individuals. This role involves collaborating with a multicultural team and engaging in various activities that contribute to the overall mission of UNHCR. The intern will gain valuable insights into gender-based violence and child protection practices, as well as the localization agenda aimed at empowering displaced communities. The position requires a proactive and dynamic individual who is passionate about human rights and refugee issues, and who is eager to learn and contribute to the team's efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a range of duties, including supporting the coordination and setup of UNHCR Help pages for country operations in the West and Central Africa region. This involves collecting information from various country operations and collaborating with HQ to fill out the help page templates. The intern will assist in establishing inclusive communication channels for communities, conduct desk reviews of accountability strategies, and support data collection and analysis for regional newsletters. Additionally, the intern will help identify and document good practices within country operations, update GBV and CP regional dashboards, and participate in internal and regional meetings, taking notes for the unit. Other tasks may include data analysis activities and any additional responsibilities assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be of Senegalese nationality, a national of a CEDEAO member state, or possess a work permit in Senegal. They should be available for full-time work throughout the internship duration. A background in Law, International Law, Social Science, Humanitarian Law, or a related field is essential. Excellent communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and comfort in an international and multicultural environment are required. Fluency in French and a good command of English, along with advanced writing and editing skills, are mandatory. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI) is also necessary. Candidates should demonstrate analytical thinking, creativity, organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask and prioritize workloads. Flexibility and teamwork are crucial, as well as experience in data collection and analysis.

Educational Background:
Candidates must be either graduates or current students in a graduate or undergraduate program from a university or higher education institution accredited by UNESCO. They should have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a relevant field that aligns with the work of UNHCR. It is important to note that individuals with close family ties to current UNHCR staff members are not eligible for the internship.

Experience:
The internship is designed for individuals who are either current students or recent graduates, thus specific professional experience is not a prerequisite. However, any experience related to data collection, analysis, and presentation will be beneficial and is considered an asset for candidates applying for this position.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory, and candidates should also possess a good knowledge of English. Advanced writing and editing skills in both languages are highly desirable, as effective communication is crucial in this role.

Additional Notes:
The internship is a six-month full-time position, requiring 40 hours of work per week from Monday to Friday. The successful candidate will be based in Dakar, Senegal, and will receive a Food and Local Transportation Allowance (FLTA) as part of the internship terms. If the intern is sponsored by another source during the internship, this allowance will be adjusted accordingly. UNHCR strongly encourages applications from refugees and women, reflecting its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.